The Missouri State Highway Patrol is seeking tips from the public about who may have stolen a van from the Kansas City area and led troopers on a chase Monday, July 8 through Lafayette and Saline counties.

Troop A Public Information Officer Justin Ewing tells KMMO News that the patrol received word of a white floral van that was stolen from the Kansas City area and heading east on Interstate 70. Ewing says a trooper on the interstate spotted the van as it approached Odessa and attempted to make a stop, but a chase ensued. The unidentified suspect abandoned the van near Mile Marker 86, just shy of the Cooper County line, and went on foot. Troopers, along with the patrol’s aircraft division and deputies with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office conducted a search, including with multiple K9s, but were unable to find the suspect and broke the perimeter around 8 p.m.

Ewing says the van will be taken back to Kansas City for evidence processing by the jurisdiction where the van was reported stolen from. He encourages anyone in the vicinity of the suspect’s last known whereabouts who sees something suspicious to call their local law enforcement, or the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s hotline at *55. Ewing also notes that the patrol has not connected the suspect to any other crimes at this time.