By This Is Topeka Staff
A Topeka man who authorities had been searching for in connection with a high-profile stolen vehicle crash and foot chase last month has been taken into custody, according to newly released Shawnee County booking records.
Steven Matthew Rule, born August 18, 1985, was booked into the Shawnee County Jail on May 13, 2025, at 7:30 a.m., and is facing a cascade of felony and misdemeanor charges related to the April 24 incident that triggered a large-scale law enforcement response in southwest Topeka.
Charges Filed
Rule’s current charges include:
- Felony Theft of a Motor Vehicle ($25,000–$100,000)
- Leaving the Scene of an Injury Accident
- Failure to Stop for a Red Light
- Driving While License Suspended
- Failure to Provide Required Driver Information
- Interference with Law Enforcement (Felony) – NO BOND
- Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Law Enforcement (Felony) – NO BOND
The arrest comes after a chaotic series of events on April 24, documented in a WIBW news article and detailed live on a local Facebook police scanner page by citizen reporter Mabel Ramirez.
A Timeline of Chaos
According to real-time accounts, law enforcement first encountered a grey Hyundai, reported stolen, near 10th & Lane. A pursuit began, with the suspect vehicle crashing near SW Holly Lane. At least two occupants fled on foot—one male suspect was quickly captured, while a second suspect, later identified as Rule, remained at large for hours.
Witnesses described Rule as a shirtless white male with distinctive tattoos from his right shoulder to elbow, wearing grey shorts and black shoes. Officers recovered a grey undershirt and black overshirt behind a house near 43xx SW 17th, where a K9 unit was deployed. Gunshots were reported in the area, and a holster and magazine were found—but the weapon itself was never recovered.
The incident led to lockdowns at nearby schools, including Whitson Elementary and Hope Street Academy, and a law enforcement drone was launched in an effort to locate the suspect. At one point, aircraft assistance was requested, and officers were seen searching yards, checking vehicles, and escorting multiple individuals into custody.
Who Else Was Involved?
Rule was not the only one taken into custody in connection with the incident. Another man, Bryan Keith Carter, was arrested that evening on charges including:
- Interference with Law Enforcement
- Possession of stolen property
- Operating without a valid license
- Leaving the scene of an injury accident
A female passenger was also taken to the hospital with unspecified injuries.
Still Under Investigation
Despite multiple arrests, scanner traffic indicated at the time that officers believed a third suspect may have been involved. It is not currently known whether additional arrests have been made.
As of publication, Rule remains in custody without bond on the felony fleeing and interference charges. Court dates have not yet been announced for the newer cases, though he faces multiple warrants, including in case number 23CR1694.
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