THOMAS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for alleged car theft.

Just after 2p.m. Wednesday, the Colby Police Department received a report of a stolen vehicle that had just occurred near 5th and Franklin Avenue, according to a media release.

Within fifteen minutes, a Thomas County Sheriff’s Deputy located the vehicle leaving Walmart on Franklin Avenue before entering the Prairie Museum parking lot. The Deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop and vehicle then sped away from the parking lot, entered a cornfield and the driver fled on foot. The Deputy lost sight of the person in the cornfield.

Another Deputy and found the suspect in a clearing of the field. The subject then went south and reentered the cornfield. During this time a perimeter was established by the Colby Police Department, Colby Fire Department, Kansas Highway Patrol, Wal-Mart Employees and the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office.

The Colby High School was notified of the situation. They initiated a Lock Out procedure out of precaution for staff in the building.

The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office received footage matching the description of the suspect and requested the public’s assistance via the Facebook Page. This resulted in multiple people from the public calling the Colby Police Department administrative phone line with information that the suspect was currently inside Dillons. 

Colby Police Department Officer and Thomas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the tip at Dillons and subsequently took 33-year-old Crystal Hatfield of Lincoln, NE into custody without further incident. There are currently no other suspects involved in this case.

The formal charges will be filed through the Thomas County Attorney’s Office.