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Drunk driver of stolen truck arrested after chase

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PITTSBURG, Kan. — A Pittsburg man was arrested Thursday after allegedly fleeing from police and causing extensive property damage while drunk driving in a stolen vehicle. 

At approximately 9:25 p.m. Thursday, a Pittsburg police officer was dispatched to the 1900 block of North Locust Street in Pittsburg regarding a report of a hit-and-run accident. Upon arriving, the officer met with the reporting party, who advised the collision had just occurred, and that they believed the offending vehicle, described as a white Ford pickup, had also struck another vehicle just down the street from them.  

The first officer requested a second unit be sent to their location to assist with locating any additional damaged vehicles. According to the Pittsburg Police Department, officers located a second vehicle that had been struck in the 1600 block of North Locust by the white Ford pickup, which also allegedly fled the scene after the collision. 

While on scene, an officer located the offending Ford pickup still traveling in the area of the second collision, according to the PPD. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop on the pickup in the 100 block of East 16th Street, but the driver of the pickup allegedly refused to pull over and then started to flee from the officer. A vehicle pursuit then allegedly ensued with the Ford pickup, which headed north and east from the 1600 block of North Locust. 

While fleeing from the officers, the driver of the Ford pickup allegedly struck fences on four different residential properties, a garage, and then an electric pole in an alley before wrecking out and coming to a stop in the south alleyway of the 200 block of East 22nd Street. The collision with the electric pole caused four houses in that area to lose power, according to the PPD. 

The driver of the Ford pickup, later identified as 39-year-old Travis R. Duncan, of Pittsburg, was taken into custody without further incident. Duncan appeared to be extremely intoxicated at the time, and a blood draw was subsequently collected for evidence, according to the PPD. Additionally, the Ford pickup Duncan was driving at the time had been reported stolen from Pittsburg. The pickup was towed from the scene. 

Duncan was transported to the jail at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for booking. He was arrested for felony theft of a motor vehicle, felony interference with law enforcement, felony attempt to flee or elude law enforcement, misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and misdemeanor operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver’s license. He is being held without bond.  

The investigation into this incident is ongoing, the PPD noted. Anyone having information related to this incident, or other incidents, is urged to contact the PPD at 620-231-1700, or at the tip line, 620-231-TIPS (8477). Callers may remain anonymous.