Two men were arrested on aggravated kidnapping charges after fleeing from Wellsville Police, Wednesday night, May 24th. At approximately 11:12 a Wellsville Police Officer attempted to make a traffic stop on a maroon Pontiac G6, which fled from law enforcement north on K-33 Highway to 56 Highway. The vehicle traveled to Edgerton where two men fled on foot. Two other occupants remained in the vehicle and were cooperative with law enforcement.
A perimeter was set up with assistance from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, Johnson County Sheriff’s office, Kansas Highway Patrol, the Osawatomie Police Department and the Spring Hill Police Department. Two separate K-9 teams were deployed and apprehended Gilbert R. Hartness of Kansas City, Missouri. Later, Johnson County received information of the whereabouts of the second man, Matthew G. Claycamp of Gardner.
The two were arrested for aggravated kidnapping, felon in possession of firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia, among other charges. It was determined the two occupants that were left behind, were the kidnapping victims, as they were not allowed out of the vehicle when they asked to get out before and during the pursuit.
