Purcell Police: Man In Custody After Stealing Multiple Police Vehicles, Leading Officers On Chase

A man was taken into custody Tuesday morning after stealing multiple vehicles, including police vehicles, and leading officers on a chase, Purcell police said. According to authorities, the suspect stole a vehicle in Pottawatomie County and crashed it int

Tuesday, October 15th 2019, 10:37 am

By: News 9

A man was taken into custody Tuesday morning after stealing multiple vehicles, including police vehicles, and leading officers on a chase, Purcell police said.

According to authorities, the suspect identified as 34-year-old Leviticus Johnson, stole a vehicle in Pottawatomie County and crashed it into a pond near Dibble.

Dibble Police arrested Johnson, but he was able to get away and steal a police car. The police cruiser had a function that would shut the car off after it got a certain distance from the officer driving it.

When the Dibble police car shut down, the suspect ditched it and stole the personal vehicle of a McClain County Undersheriff and drove to Purcell, police said

The Johnson ditched the Undersheriff's vehicle and continued on foot. He was later reported as a suspicious person which led to Purcell police initiating a foot pursuit with the suspect.

Authorities said the suspect was able to then steal a Purcell patrol vehicle. Purcell police engaged in a high-speed pursuit with the suspect along Interstate 35, and eventually stopped him with a PIT maneuver.

Johnson was taken into custody and is facing multiple charges, including larceny of an automobile and obstructing officers.

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