Straubs face additional charges
A Wauneta man faces additional charges from a chase last month that went through three counties.
Seth J. Straub, 21, Wauneta, was arrested after a police chase March 20.
He originally was arrested on charges of flight to avoid arrest, possession of stolen property, willful reckless driving and a Red Willow County arrest warrant for failure to appear.
In papers filed March 25 in Chase County Court, he was formally charged with those offenses, plus possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person; theft by unlawful taking; unauthorized use of a propelled vehicle; and shoplifting.
Another charge, theft by receiving stolen property, was added April 2 and the possession of stolen property charge was taken off. The weapons, possession of stolen property and theft charges are felonies and the rest are misdemeanors.
According to court documents, the weapons charge involves a hunting knife with a 14-inch blade, which he is barred from having because of a previous felony conviction in Red Willow County.
The theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and unauthorized use charges are from the actual taking of the truck. The shoplifting charge accuses him of stealing $19 worth of gas from Crossroads in Wauneta.
After leading deputies on a one-hour chase on March 20 across country and field roads in Chase, Dundy and Hitchcock counties, he drove into a wheat stubble field and became stuck, then fled on foot, the Chase County Sheriff’s Office said.
Straub’s brother, Kaleb M. Straub, 26, Palisade, was arrested the next day in Imperial in a separate incident.
The sheriff’s office received a report March 21 of a tractor stolen in the northwest part of the county.
Investigation of the report led them to Kaleb Straub, who was found in Imperial and arrested. During the arrest, deputies discovered a .40 caliber handgun, with its serial number defaced, on Straub, a convicted felon who is barred from carrying a gun. They also seized methamphetamine and other contraband.
He was booked into the Chase County Jail on charges of felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, theft by unlawful taking over $5,000, possession of a defaced firearm, criminal mischief and possession of drug paraphernalia.
In court papers filed March 25, he was formally charged with all of those, plus carrying a concealed weapon. The possession of a deadly weapon, possession with intent to distribute and theft by unlawful taking charges are felonies, while the rest are misdemeanors.
Both men remain in the Chase County Jail, Seth on $100,000 bail, plus $50,000 on a Red Willow County charge, and Kaleb on $100,000 bail.
Both were scheduled to appear in county court Wednesday this week.