The picture shows that the repairs to the building is on-going.
Two of three suspects in the burglary of Westphal Jewelers were bound over for trial Thursday an amended complaint adding conspiracy to commit burglary.
34-year-old Kenya Demond Breakfield aka “Smooth” who is free on bond and 38-year-old Derrick Glover, aka “Hustle” who is still jailed will face arraignment on Monday and a possible trial, face other charges including burglary non-dwelling, theft and a more serious charge of criminal damage to property. That came after Greg Payton of Payton Optical who owns the building where the jewelry store is located told the court that it’s costing around 53-thousand dollars to repair damage to the building.
The defense argued that Westphal wasn’t out that much money because he was citing the number for retail and not what he paid for the merchandise himself which appears would be half of what he would loose for retail sales. But, the state argued that the number should be based on “fair market value.” Judge Joe McCarville agreed and denied the defense objection.
Dick Westphal also took the stand and told the loss in jewelry which he wasn’t sure of the total,, but estimated the amount of around 35-thousand dollars, however testimony showed it was around 33-thousand, 600-dollars. He told of being called to his store on January 12 and seeing a car almost completely in his store. The car turned out to be stolen from a woman working at an ABC liquor store in Wichita.
44-year-old Francis Johnson aka “Fingers” was interviewed by Detective Jamie Schoenhoff and pretty much implicated himself and the other two. He told the detective that the plan among the three began after they stole the vehicle and brought it to Hutchinson prior to the break in. They had parked it in the DCI parking lot a few days prior the incident at Westphal Jewelers and wiped it clean, so if found, couldn’t be traced back to them.
They then left in Breakfield’s Cadillac and went to Newton where Glover lives. They returned and then used the car to go through the front of the store. Johnson says he was driving. They then broke into the glass cases and stole the jewelry. That was apparently all caught on video according to Schoenhoff. He says a Crime Stoppers tip led them to the three men.
The three are also suspected of doing the same thing at an OK Pawn Shop in Wichita, only allegedly used a stolen vehicle to break into the front of that store.
It’s unclear where all the jewelry went. Westphal testified that he hasn’t gotten any of the stolen goods back. Johnson allegedly told the deputy that he traded his share of jewelry for some meth and a 20-dollar bill.
Breakfield is no stranger to the law having served time in prison for two counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, theft, obstruction and aggravated robbery. All of those convictions out of Johnson County.
Johnson was not transferred from the Kansas Department of Corrections, so a hearing for him will be later this month. He is serving time for two burglary convictions here in Reno County, but he also has a long wrap sheet for crimes in Reno, Harvey Sedgwick and Shawnee Counties.