By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

A 36-year-old Hays man was arrested after leading officers on a brief chase Tuesday night in Hays.

According to Lt. Brandon Wright with the Hays Police Department, at 10: 21 p.m., an officer observed a motorcycle traveling in the 300 block of East 27th without a tail light.

Wright said the officer followed the motorcycle, which turned out to be a minibike, and activated his lights and siren to stop the vehicle.

The driver, later identified as Lance A. Schmeidler, 36, Hays, did not stop.

Schmeidler reportedly led officers on a brief chase, lasting less than 2 minutes. He made a series of quick turns, ran several stop signs, and drove on sidewalks and in yards, Wright said.

The pursuit ended when Schmeidler voluntarily stopped and was taken into custody without further incident near 22nd and Pine.

According to Wright, Schmeidler committed nine traffic infractions during the pursuit, and is being held in the Ellis County jail on suspicion of felony fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, and driving on a suspended license.