Fatal crash Tuesday evening near Topeka’s Billard airport-photo courtesy WIBW TV
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Two people died in a small plane crash just after 8p.m. Monday in Shawnee County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported the 1965 Piper PA-30 Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Airplane piloted by William M. Leeds, 76, Mission, was traveling southeast to northwest. The aircraft appeared to miss the runway at Billard Municipal Airport in Topeka
The aircraft struck the ground at a high rate of speed, turned approximately 180 degrees and came to rest in a grass field in between the runway and the taxi road to the airport terminal.
Leeds and co-pilot James K. Bergman, 55, Leawood, died in the crash, according to the KHP.
SUMNER COUNTY – A second earthquake this week shook south-central Kansas Tuesday morning.
The quake just before 1:30 a.m. measured 3.4 and was centered ten miles northwest of Caldwell, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Officials reported a 2.6 quake Sunday afternoon in the same area.
Tuesday’s quake is the first in August. The USGS reported eight quakes in Kansas in July, 18 Kansas earthquakes in June, 9 in May, a dozen in April, 7 in March and 6 in February.
There are no reports of damage or injury from Tuesday’s quake, according to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Department.
Timeline of the reported attacks- Riley Co. Police
RILEY COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are alerting the public to conflicting information circulating about a serial rapist who is believed to have attacked more than a dozen women from 2000 to 2008 in Manhattan and Lawrence.
According to a social media report from Riley County Police there is a composite sketch going around on a Kansas Missing and Unsolved flyer giving out inaccurate information.
“We want to be clear — this sketch on the flyer is not connected to the sexual assault cases stretching from October 2000 to July 2015.” The organization held a press conference on this investigation last week.
“That composite sketch in question came from another organization’s press release involving a rape case that occurred in August of 2009 that is not connected to the other assaults.”
Officials have said the suspect is usually armed and covers his face. He’s also believed to have conducted some sort of surveillance before the attacks.
Police expressed appreciation in getting the word out about these cases in an effort to gain information that may lead to an arrest. We would like to thank you for sharing facts from trusted sources like the Riley County Police Department and the Lawrence Police Department.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Two Kansas men have pleaded guilty to federal charges related to their scheme to pilfer items from Wichita mailboxes.
Thirty-eight-year-old Shalan Hiatt of Wichita pleaded guilty Monday to one count each of mail theft and possession of a counterfeit mailbox master key. Thirty-three-year-old Jason Farner of Leavenworth pleaded guilty to two counts of mail theft.
Authorities say Hiatt and Farner admitted they were members of a group of people in Wichita who used counterfeited mailbox keys to steal mail containing checks and forms of identification.
Sentencing for both men is scheduled for Oct. 19. Hiatt has previous convictions for theft and criminal damage, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
FINNEY COUNTY- Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on alleged DUI charges after a crash.
Just before 9a.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to a one car injury accident in the 400 block of W. Fulton Street in Garden City involving a Silver 2011 Chevy Cobalt and a utility pole.
When Officers arrived on the scene, they identified the driver of the vehicle as Justin Cruz, 26, Broomfield Colorado. Cruz was uninjured and exhibiting signs of impaired driving.
The investigation revealed Cruz was traveling west on Fulton St. when he allegedly fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a utility pole on the on the northeast corner of 11th and Fulton Street.
After police arrested Cruz and took him to the Finney County Jail, he complained of injury. Finney County EMS treated him and released jail.
He could face the possible charges of Driving Under the Influence and No valid Driver’s License.
Due to the damage to the utility pole, traffic was re-routed for approximately three hours so City electric crews could replace the pole. Damage to the utility pole was estimated at $ 4,500.
Officials on the scene of the weekend accident -photo KDWP&T Game Wardens
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY- A man is recovering from injuries sustained in an accident on the Kansas River in Pottawatomie County over the weekend.
On Saturday afternoon Game Wardens were dispatched to a report of a man with a possible broken leg on the River. Wardens along with a paramedic, launched a department rescue airboat and located the group between Wamego and St George, according to a social media report.
Upon arrival, it was learned that the man’s injuries were worse than reported. Authorities administering an IV, paramedic and wardens loaded the victim on a spine board and he was transported by airboat back to the Wamego boat ramp where EMS took over.
Officials released no additional details on the accident.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on sexual assault charges.
A 29-year-old woman told police she met 30-year-old Kyle Baxter Saturday evening at the Paramount Bar, 219 North Santa Fe in Salina.
She was there with friends and went with Baxter to the basement to look at some bar equipment for sale, according to Salina Police Capt. Paul Forrester.
The woman accused Baxter of not allowing her to leave and sexual assault while they were in the basement.
Late Saturday, Police arrested Baxter at his residence requested charges of rape and and criminal restraint.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas-based chemical company has agreed to pay a $950,000 penalty to the federal government for allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act.
The settlement announced Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency also requires Harcros Chemicals of Kansas City, Kansas, to make sure that its accident prevention program complies with federal requirements.
Harcros operates 31 facilities in 19 states and two in Kansas. The firm manufacture, blend, repackage and distribute chemicals.
The settlement calls for the company to audit 28 of its facilities to identify and correct potential sources of Clean Air Act violations, and to effectively react to accidents when they occur. It also requires installation of foam-based sprinkler systems at eight Harcros facilities.
A phone message left with Harcros Chemicals was not immediately returned.
Fatal crash Sunday night in Wichita- photo courtesy KAKE
SEDGWICK COUNTY-Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal accident.
Just after 11p.m. Sunday, police were dispatched to report of an injury accident the 1700 Block of West Kellogg in Wichita. A 2006 Chevy Impala driven by a 38-year-old man was traveling on the ramp from Interstate 135 to Westbound Kellogg, according to Officer Charley Davidson.
The driver lost control of the vehicle. It hit a concrete barrier and rolled. First responders pronounced a 44-year old passenger dead at the scene.
The driver and three additional occupants including a 29-year-old man, a 39-year-old woman and a 31-year-old woman were transported to a local hospital in serious and or critical condition, according to Davidson.
SALINE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities continue the investigation the June murder of a Salina man and have made a fourth arrest.
On Friday night, police arrested 20-year-old Austin Bott, Salina, for failure to appear, according to Saline County Sheriff Roger Soldan.
Bott was wanted for questioning in connection with the murder of 29-year-old Brandon Lee Shelby. On June 6, investigators found Shelby’s body near the Smoky Hill River Bridge crossing on North East Street in Salina.
According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigations, Shelby suffered blunt force trauma to the head and had other severe injuries.
Sheriff Soldan did not comment on Bott’s role in the murder but said he was booked into the Saline County Jail Saturday for murder in the first degree, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated burglary.
River Bridge Murder Scene-photo by Rocky Robinson
Police have arrested three other Salina men in connection with the case.
Charles Rodgers, 30, James Pavey, 40, and Brandon St. Clair, are being held for alleged first-degree murder.
FORD COUNTY –Law enforcement authorities are investigating a July 23, double shooting and continue searching for an alleged suspect 20-year-old Xavier Alejandro Maestas.
On Friday, the Hodgeman County Sheriff’s office reported receiving numerous tips that Maestas has been seen in Jetmore and Hodgeman County, according to a social media report.
Police reported he is possibly driving a blue passenger car with partial gold wheels.
After looking at video from Friday’s tip, the individual that was in Jetmore was not the suspect, according to the Hodgeman County Sheriff’s Department.
Just after 2:30 a.m. July 23, Officers from the Dodge City Police Department were dispatched to a mobile home at 201 E. McArtor for a shooting, according to a media release.
When Officers arrived they found two adult men suffering from gunshot wounds. During the investigation
Detectives determined the victims were standing outside the trailer when they were shot.
Detectives were able to identify a suspect and an arrest warrant was issued for 20-year-old Xavier Alejandro Maestas for Attempted Murder in the First Degree, Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, Aggravated Assault – Use of a deadly Weapon, and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm – Shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Deputies advised the public if you see the suspect do not approach him. Contact Law Enforcement immediately. Maestas is considered armed and dangerous.
SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery that started as a Craigslist ad and have made an arrest.
A 17-year-old victim arrived at an apartment complex to complete the transaction, according to a media release from Topeka police.
Once inside the apartment, several armed suspects forced to victim to remove his clothes. The victim’s phone and clothing were taken and he was told to leave.
The investigation led to two persons of interest. Police conducted interviews and arrested 21-year-old Shawn D. Davis, according to officer Colleen Stuart.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call Topeka police. The Topeka police reminded residents they have a safe exchange zone for transactions at 320 South Kansas Avenue, Suite 100.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities are investigating an armed robbery that started as a Craigslist ad. The 17-year-old victim arrived at an apartment complex to complete the transaction, according to a media release from Topeka police.
Once inside the apartment, several armed suspects forced to victim to remove his clothes. The victim’s phone and clothing were taken and he was told to leave.
The investigation led to two persons of interest. Police are interviewing them. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Topeka police. The Topeka police reminded residents they have a safe exchange zone for transactions at 320 South Kansas Avenue, Suite 100.
