MARCH 7, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE #23-0307-1
CONTACT: SHERIFF TIM MORSE 785-364-2251
Christopher Gerard Kleinsmith
Marc Allen Nichols
2002 Jeep Cherokee
JACKSON COUNTY, Kan. (JASO) – Sheriff Tim Morse reports an update to Monday’s arrests following an alleged burglary near Delia. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible burglary in progress at 2830 102nd Road, approximately 1/2 mile south of the City of Delia Monday afternoon. The caller reported a white Jeep on the property. The Jeep allegedly fled northbound from the first arriving sheriff’s deputy on the property. The 2002 white Jeep Cherokee lost the deputy in a thickly wooded area, headed southwest at a high rate of speed thru what had previously been a cornfield. The vehicle then accessed 102nd Road and went westbound when another sheriff’s unit took over the pursuit. The vehicle continued down several low maintenance roads and into Pottawatomie County west of 63 Hwy and eventually lost control and left the roadway at Doyle Creek and Pleasant View Road in Pottawatomie County at a T intersection. Two occupants were taken into custody, the Jeep caught fire as did the surrounding field. The Jeep and its contents were destroyed. Pottawatomie County Sheriff, Fire, Emergency Management, and KHP responded to the incident. The alleged driver and owner of the Jeep, Christopher Gerard Keinsmith, 45, of St. Mary’s and the passenger, Marc Allen Nichols, 27, of Rossville were both arrested by Jackson County deputies. Kleinsmith was booked into the Jackson County Jail for burglary, criminal trespassing, felony fleeing and eluding. Nichols was booked into the Jackson County Jail for burglary, and a probation violation. Nichols also was wanted on outstanding warrants.