UPDATE: Saturday, October 27, 2012

Two suspected of copper theft at an Andover business are in custody after crashing a stolen SUV during a police chase in northeast Wichita Saturday morning.

Officers began pursuing a Dodge Durango just before 9:15 a.m. near East 21st Street North and Woodlawn after receiving a tip from Andover police.

The two led officers on a chase to westbound K-96 and then to southbound I-135, reaching speeds of 85 to 90 miles-per-hour. The Durango then left the roadway and struck a light pole near 13th Street.

The driver, a man in his 30s, ran from the vehicle but was quickly captured down in the canal off of I-135.

The passenger, a woman in her 20s, was taken to the hospital with a dislocated shoulder.

Copper and cutting tools were found inside the stolen SUV.

Andover Police say the pair is wanted in connection to a copper theft that happened around 9 a.m. Saturday at Hanna Heating and Air on North Andover Road. They may also be connected to a second theft, which took place around 1:30 Friday afternoon at the same location.

The SUV was one of several vehicles reported stolen from Discount Auto Sales in the 9900 block of East Kellogg sometime between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. Wednesday.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

A suspected copper thief out of Butler County was seriously hurt in a crash during a police chase in northeast Wichita Saturday morning.

Officers began pursuing a pickup truck just before 9:15 a.m. near East 21st Street North and Woodlawn after receiving a tip from Butler County authorities.

The woman led officers on a chase to westbound K-96 and then to southbound I-135, where she struck a pole near 13th Street.

She was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Andover Police say the woman is wanted in connection to a copper theft that happened around 9 a.m. Saturday at Hanna Heating and Air on North Andover Road. She may also be connected to a second theft, which took place around 1:30 Friday afternoon at the same location.

The license plate on the pickup was also reported stolen.

No other information has been released.