Chase Suspects Heckman, Cordell Face Drug Charges, Out-of-Town Warrants After McPherson Pursuit
Narcotics distribution, outstanding warrants from Douglas and Leavenworth counties among charges after Valentine's Day chase ended at 19th and Eisenhower
MCPHERSON, Kan. — Booking records have identified Bobby Heckman and Scott Cordell as the two individuals arrested Saturday afternoon following a 15-minute high-speed chase through McPherson that began when the county's Flock license plate reader cameras flagged a stolen vehicle on I-135.
As previously reported, the McPherson County Sheriff Department's automated camera network detected the stolen vehicle traveling southbound on I-135 near Smoky Valley Road at approximately 4:04 p.m. on February 14. McPherson Police officers intercepted the vehicle as it entered the city at I-135 and Kansas Avenue. After confirming it was stolen, officers attempted a traffic stop in the 100 block of South Champlin Road, but the suspects fled southbound on Centennial and continued outside city limits. A sheriff's deputy deployed stop sticks to puncture the tires, and the vehicle ultimately became stuck at 19th and Eisenhower Road. No injuries were reported.
The Charges
Bobby Heckman faces ten charges according to booking records dated February 14, 2026. The most serious include fleeing and eluding in a stolen vehicle with a 25,600 bond, theft of property valued between 1,500 and $25,000, and two felony drug charges — distribution of narcotics and possession with intent to distribute. He also faces several traffic-related charges including reckless driving, driving while suspended, and speeding.
Scott Cordell was booked with pending charges from the chase, but his arrest also cleared two outstanding out-of-town warrants: a $20,000 bond out of Douglas County for failure to appear on two forgery charges, and a no-bond warrant out of Leavenworth County for failure to appear on opiate possession and paraphernalia charges.
Flock Cameras Prove Their Worth
Saturday's arrest marks an early win for the McPherson County Sheriff Department's Flock camera network, which uses automated license plate readers to alert law enforcement to stolen or wanted vehicles in real time. Without the system's alert, the stolen vehicle may have passed through McPherson County undetected.
Both suspects remain in custody at the McPherson County Jail.
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