A 29-year-old Hutchinson man with a couple of cases before the court was scheduled for a preliminary hearing in one of them Monday, but it was continued by the state over the objection of the defense.
Todd Loyd is charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery and theft. He was arrested on a warrant by the Reno County Sheriff’s Office after he was spotted at a home at in the 100 block of West 11th. He apparently ran into the home, but was quickly captured. These charges stem from a domestic incident back on July 16, 2012, when he apparently got into an altercation with his girlfriend and allegedly battered her, held her against her will, and then reportedly stole her cell phone.
The state didn’t have two witnesses ready for court with both being police officers who were apparently on duty and on a police call at the time the hearing was scheduled to begin. Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton also stating that they are also in plea negotiations with the state making an offer of the defendant. It’s unclear if the defense will except the offer. Loyd was heard stating he wanted to get this over.
In the other case, the charges against Loyd included aggravated battery and flee and elude, however he entered a plea to the flee and elude charge in front of Judge Trish Rose while the other count was dropped by the state. Sentencing in that case is set for February 1, 2013.
Lloyd was accused of failing to stop for a Hutchinson police officer on K-61 at Avenue G, which led to South Hutchinson where the officer was told to terminate the pursuit. However, another officer observed the same vehicle driving at a high rate of speed at Avenue E and Main in South Hutchinson, and he failed to stop at the intersection. Loyd then led that officer on a chase that ended when he went into a field and wrecked the vehicle in a drainage ditch. He then allegedly ran east from the vehicle, but was found hiding under a small tree directly in front of the vehicle. A female passenger in the car was injured and taken to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The hearing date for the preliminary hearing in the kidnapping case is reset for February 6.