Fleeing driver had warrant out for his arrest

The man who attempted to flee Sedgwick County Sheriff’s deputies early Thursday morning in an incident that included a deputy firing a shot at the car was released from prison in mid-June – and already had a fresh warrant out for his arrest, authorities confirmed on Friday.

A deputy attempted to stop a gold Pontiac Grand Am for traffic violations near Harry and Seneca early Thursday morning, authorities shortly after midnight, Lt. Lin Dehning said in a statement. The driver, identified later at 24-year-old Anthony R. Edwards, refused to stop, and a pursuit began along residential streets in the area.

The driver stopped near Baldwin and Palisade and deputies tried to talk him out of the Grand Am. He did not comply, attempting instead to turn his vehicle around.

He drove around one patrol vehicle, almost striking a deputy, who fired a shot in response that struck the Grand Am’s windshield.

Edwards rammed into another patrol vehicle, disabling it, authorities said. He continued to ignore deputies’ commands while maneuvering the car and the pursuit eventually resumed.

Edwards jumped from his car near Zimmerly and Water and was apprehended following a chase on foot.

He was booked into the Sedgwick County Jail on suspicion of two counts of aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, two counts of criminal damage to property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and felony evade and elude.

The Kansas Department of Corrections had issued a warrant for Edwards’ arrest on Monday for failing to report to his parole officer, spokesman Adam Pfannenstiel said. Edwards was released on June 15 after serving serving time in prison for 2010 convictions on burglary, theft and criminal possession of a firearm.

Neither deputy was injured in the apprehension of Edwards, authorities said. The 25-year-old deputy who fired the shot at the Grand Am has been on the force for two years.

This story was originally published July 31, 2015 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Fleeing driver had warrant out for his arrest."