Man at center of Pottawatomie County manhunt suspected in string of crimes

A man who injured a deputy during a pursuit in Pottawatomie County is now accused of a crime spree that spanned several days.

Tuesday, January 21st 2025, 7:37 pm

By: Sylvia Corkill


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A man who injured a deputy during a pursuit in Pottawatomie County is now accused of a crime spree that spanned several days.

Michael Benham was driving a stolen truck and trailer that he used to ram a deputy's vehicle Monday.

The officer attempted to stop Benham after he ran a stop sign and continued to drive.

Deputy: I’m going to be in a slow-speed pursuit of a vehicle, it’s a truck pulling a trailer with another vehicle on it.

Investigators said Benham was in a stolen pickup and trailer he was using to haul his personal vehicle.

With outstanding warrants for his arrest, Pottawatomie County Sheriff Freeland Wood said Benham was desperate to get away.

And just minutes into the chase down a dirt road---Benham’s vehicle toppled off the trailer.

Deputy: 29 Central- he’s all over the roadway.

During the course of the pursuit, Benham threw the truck and trailer into reverse and rammed the deputy’s vehicle.

Deputy: Ah! He just smacked my vehicle! Threw it in reverse.

The officer's vehicle was disabled. Just 21 days into his new role as Sheriff Freeland Wood rushed to the scene.

“It was how fast can I get ready and get there,” said Wood.

Deputy: My shoulder is sore, if you would start REACT. 

“You’re so glad he’s okay, but you want to get there to see if you can help him,” said Wood.  

After surveying the damage to his vehicle the deputy learned Benham may have been armed.

Deputy: That’s the individual from the Chandler pursuit, armed and dangerous.

After crashing the vehicle into a ditch Benham hid in the woods as a manhunt got underway.

With temperatures below freezing, Benham eventually surrendered—asking residents at a nearby home to call 911.

Just 24 hours earlier, Chandler Police Chief Matt Mattheyer said Benham had eluded his officers in another stolen vehicle that he had abandoned. Inside the vehicle officers found 15 guns believed to have been stolen during a pawn shop burglary in Prague.

The ATF and police are investigating.

A total of seven agencies and a drone helped search for Benham. They feared he would commit a third carjacking.

Sylvia Corkill

Sylvia Corkill joined the News 9 team in October of 2016. If you're an early bird you can see her reporting weekdays in the field or at the desk filling in.

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