Andrew John Bennett, 25, of Hays, was arrested January 11, 2012 in Palco for the November 17, 2011 robbery of the Love’s Country Store in Hays.

A press release by Ellis County Attorney Tom Drees stated that the District Court of Ellis County issued an arrest warrant on January 5, 2012 charging Bennett with the robbery. The complaint and warrant were issued following an investigation by the Hays Police Department. The Hays Police Department was able to determine the suspected location of Andrew Bennett in Palco.

On January 11, 2012, Hays Law Enforcement notified Rooks County Undersheriff Chad Sterling and Plainville Police Chief Gary Knight, and advised them of the warrant for and suspected location of Bennett. Undersheriff Sterling and Chief Knight assembled a team of law enforcement officers including two deputies from the Rooks County Sheriff’s Office, three officers from the Plainville Police Department, one deputy from the Graham County Sheriff’s Office and one Kansas Highway Patrol Trooper.

The officers found Bennett’s location and Bennett fled from law enforcement who after a brief chase were able to arrest the suspect.

Bennett has been returned to the Ellis County Jail where he remains in lieu of a $100,000 bond. Bennett is also on bond awaiting further proceedings in a Colorado Springs criminal case in which it is alleged that Bennett committed attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

Hays Chief of Police Don Scheibler expressed his thanks to Undersheriff Sterling, Chief Knight, and other law enforcement for their quick response and actions in arresting Bennett on the Ellis County warrant.