KC woman chased by police faces kidnapping charge

A Kansas City woman who allegedly caused several wrecks during a lengthy Wednesday afternoon police pursuit was charged Thursday with trying to kidnap another driver at the end of the chase.

Melissa Marie Hampton, 25, was charged in Johnson County District Court with kidnapping, battery, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Hampton was wanted on several warrants for her arrest stemming from drug-related cases in Jackson County, according to court records.

She twice had eluded police efforts to stop her before Wednesday, when she again refused to stop her vehicle when Kansas City police tried to pull her over.

Hampton allegedly led officers from Kansas City into Kansas City, Kan., and Johnson County.

Officers on the ground backed off while a Kansas City police helicopter followed her vehicle, which at times was being driven into oncoming traffic.

Two wrecks were reported along Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. Eventually her vehicle crashed into several other vehicles on the Quivira Road bridge over Interstate 35 in Lenexa.

Lenexa police said she ran from the wreck and got into the passenger side of another vehicle. She claimed to have a gun and kicked the other driver who refused her demands to drive away, according to Lenexa police.

Hampton got out and started to run away before arriving Lenexa officers arrested her, authorities said.

A judge set her bond at $100,000. She was not required to enter a plea at her initial court appearance Thursday. She is scheduled back in court next Thursday.

This story was originally published February 25, 2016 at 11:42 AM with the headline "KC woman chased by police faces kidnapping charge."