Three arrested in investigation of stolen vehicles in Independence

Independence police arrested three people Sunday in an investigation into stolen vehicles.

Officers found a stolen Chevrolet Blazer about 10:10 a.m. parked outside a house in the 500 block of South Crysler Avenue.

Before officers could take further action, two people got into the Blazer and fled. Police pursued the Blazer after the driver allegedly refused to stop.

An officer trying to get into position to deploy a spike strip was involved in a crash at the intersection of Crysler and West Linden Avenue with a Mazda sedan that was not involved in the pursuit. The officer was taken to a hospital, treated and released. No one in the Mazda was injured.

The Blazer fled into Kansas City. Police ended their pursuit but found the Blazer a short time later. Police arrested the passenger. The driver remains at large.

Shortly after the pursuit, police found a second stolen vehicle at the residence on Crysler. Two people fled in that vehicle, which was allegedly stolen during an overnight burglary in Independence.

Officers found the unoccupied vehicle nearby. Officers also found and arrested the driver and passenger.

This story was originally published January 24, 2016 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Three arrested in investigation of stolen vehicles in Independence."