Bond set at 230-thousand dollars for bench warrant

A 27-year-old Hutchinson man picked up recently for failing to appear in court a couple of weeks ago and managed to post a 100-thousand dollar bond now finds himself with a 230-thousand dollar bond on two cases after he failed to appear in court Wednesday morning.

Timothy Mendenhall was scheduled for an appearance on the charges of interference with law enforcement and then another case where he faces charges including possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, hydrocodone, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, felony interference with law enforcement and carrying a concealed weapon, in this case a fixed blade knife.

He had just been arrested back on November 7, when officers spotted him at a home in the 900 block of East 10th. They attempted to apprehend him for warrants through Municipal Court and he attempted to escape them on a motorcycle apparently trying to go through a gate. But, Detective Jeremy Hedges was on the other side and he nearly ran him over. He was captured and taken to jail but again managed to make bond.

Mendenhall was recently granted corrections in another case where he ran from the Reno County Courthouse and was quickly captured. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton said they might try to revoke his corrections in that case.

He is still facing charges of felony flee and elude, and driving while suspended. The alleged crimes occurring back on February 8, in South Hutchinson.

This is where a South Hutchinson officer chased him into Hutchinson where he exited the Woody Seat Highway at Avenue F, then proceeded down Avenue F, but he eventually crashed into a pole in the 500 block of South Severance. He left the vehicle and was allegedly found under a pile of scrap metal.

Mendenhall is also charged with 14-felony counts including sexual exploitation of a child, as well as numerous drug charges, but the state is seeking to add four more including more charges involving being in possession of potpourri. That case is pending a jury trial. This is the case where they raided his smoke shp at 1108 West 4th, just over a year ago.

He has already served time in prison for unlawful sexual relations with a child, and possession of drugs for cases going back to 2003 and 2004.

He also did not appear Thursday so the warrant may have been issued.