SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on multiple allegations after a chase in a stolen pickup.
Just after 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, a Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned to the Real Time Crime Center alerted patrol units to a stolen white Chevrolet pickup truck in the area of SE 21st Street and SE Pennsylvania Avenue in Topeka, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.
Deputies and officers with the Topeka Police Department began searching the area for the vehicle. A short time later, the pickup was spotted near SE 29th Street and SE Adams Street traveling at a high rate of speed as it fled from law enforcement.
Just before 10a.m., officers located the pickup abandoned near SE 12th Street and SE Bellview Avenue. The vehicle was confirmed stolen out of Lawrence. A K-9 Unit began tracking the suspect through the neighborhood and nearby wooded area. Within approximately 20 minutes, officers located the suspect running along Interstate 70 beneath the SE Golden Avenue bridge, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
James M. Costello Jr., 45, of Valley Falls, Kan., was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of possession of an opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Flee or attempt to elude; operate a stolen vehicle, Driving while license suspended, Reckless driving and Possession of stolen property.