GARDNER, Kan. — A high speed chase, followed by gunfire, put a sheriff’s deputy and a suspect in the hospital Monday night outside Wichita. And 24 hours later, FOX 4 has learned more about the suspects and their ties to Kansas City.
“We heard gunshots and then my husband came in and said ‘get the dogs in and lock the doors,'” homeowner Sherry Babcock said.
The events unfolded right outside of Babcock’s Butler County farmhouse. Jason Perez and Clara Crosser were running from dozens of officers. The duo had lived in a lot of places in Johnson County. There last known address was in Gardner, Kan.
Gunfire erupted after a 27 mile long car chase which reached speeds of nearly 120 miles per hour. When the car Perez was driving eventually gave out, he took off with Crosser on foot.
It was then, as a deputy got close to the duo, shots were fired — and a call for help.
“He advised he had been shot, injuries on the right side of the body and right eye and that he needed assistance,” Sheriff Jeff Easter said.
“A trooper from Kansas Highway Patrol fired one round striking the mail in the chest. Then both were taken into custody,” Herzet said.
Butler and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Offices would not speculate why Perez and Crosser ran or if they had outstanding warrants.
A search of Johnson County court records showed an active “failure to appear” warrant for Perez. He previously plead guilty to criminal threat and misdemeanor possession in November 2012. Records showed he was currently on probation.
Records also showed he was stopped for a DUI in December 2012. That charge could revoke his probation and send him to jail. However, he never showed up to court again, court documents revealed.
