An overnight chase leads to arrest on kidnapping, drug charges

Sep. 16—A Hutchinson man is in jail on a more than $200,000 bond after leading law enforcement on a chase through two counties overnight during which he reportedly refused to let several passengers out of his vehicle.

During the pursuit, which began in Hutchinson and went through Reno County before he eventually was stopped in Harvey County, the driver, Clancy W. Nelson Jr., 26, allegedly both drove on the shoulder and in the opposing lane of traffic to pass other vehicles at a high rate of speed.

The pursuit topped 100 mph, according to details in an affidavit read by Magistrate Judge Daniel Gilligan during Nelson's initial appearance in court.

The incident began about 9:25 p.m. at Fourth and Maple when an officer attempted to make a traffic stop.

"Two passengers in the vehicle expressly requested you bring the vehicle to a stop and not take them with you," Gilligan said. "Both of them are the basis for the aggravated kidnapping charges."

Besides kidnapping and two counts of felony flee and elude — one each for the city and county — Nelson faces counts of possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia with intent to distribute and possession of opiates or narcotics.

Gilligan scheduled the case for a status hearing next Wednesday and left his bond at $221,000.

Also arrested in the case was Heather Nicole Smith, a passenger in the vehicle who had a backpack containing numerous alleged drug-related items, including filled syringes, baggies with green-leafy and crystalline substances, unused baggies, and a scale.

She was booked into jail on counts of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to market a precursor for unlawful use, possession of an opiate or narcotic, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Holds also include failure to appear and a probation violation. Her bonds are $28,500. The names of the other passengers were not released.

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