HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two residents from California who were arrested on drug distribution charges back in May while traveling through Reno County were both bound over for trial Monday.
Shane Michael Britton and Paris Follman are charged with possession of drugs including methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine. Follman also faces an interference charge.
The two were stopped back on May 19 for driving 75 in a 65 mph zone on U.S. 50 and Andre Road. The deputy was granted permission to search the vehicle using a K-9 and the dog indicated there were drugs. A further investigation led to the discovery of 1.7 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, 1.23 pounds of marijuana and numerous scales. The drug value was estimated around $70,000.
They also found numerous credit, debit and identification cards that didn’t match either one of the defendants.
With the two bound over, their cases move to arraignment on Oct. 1.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 34-year-old man charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana was bound over for trial Monday.
Christopher Krebbs was arrested after drug enforcement officers surveilled him on Jan. 10. They followed him to Wichita where he allegedly bought a large quantity of methamphetamine.
Once Krebbs was back in Reno County, officers performed a traffic stop on K-96 at Worthington Road. They searched the vehicle and found a bundle of methamphetamine in the glove compartment, several burnt marijuana cigarettes, two glass pipes and a Taurus 40-caliber handgun.
Total weight of the meth discovered was around one pound.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — A 12-year veteran of a Kansas sheriff’s office and a suspected vehicle thief were fatally shot when a fight broke out during the suspect’s arrest in a rural area of Wichita, authorities said.
Robert Kunze -photo courtesy Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter said Deputy Robert Kunze was shot Sunday afternoon after receiving a call about a black truck that had been stolen. He said the 41-year-old Kunze was “an exceptional deputy.”
When Kunze arrived at the scene about 20 miles west of downtown Wichita, he found the hood open on the black vehicle. Kunze patted down the suspect’s waistband and found a 40-caliber handgun. The gun was placed away from the two of them, but a fight ensued when Kunze tried to handcuff the suspect, Easter said at a news conference Sunday.
Greeson-photo Sedgwick County. He has previous convictions for drugs and aggravated battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections
Easter said Kunze’s service weapon was discharged, but investigators don’t know how many shots were fired or if the suspect’s handgun was fired too. Kunze was able to use the emergency button on his portable radio to summon help. Another deputy arrived about a minute later, and two witnesses hiding nearby said shots had been fired. The deputy found Kunze and the suspect on the ground. A 40-caliber handgun was found next to the suspect identified Monday as 29-year-old Robert C. Greeson, according to Lt. Tim Myers.
Kunze had been shot once in his upper torso above his ballistic vest, Easter said. The suspect was shot in his upper torso and waist. Kunze died at a hospital, while Greeson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The shooting is under investigation. Easter said the deputy’s vehicle was equipped with a dash camera but that footage was not yet available.
He said Greeson has been linked to several crimes in the area on Sunday — the theft of a .40-caliber weapon, a silver vehicle and the black truck. He said there are no other suspects in Kunze’s death, but that there may be more suspects in the other cases.
Easter described the deputy’s death as a “tragedy,” saying Kunze “worked with great pride, loved and encouraged the people who worked with him, but most of all he loved his family.” Kunze had a wife and child.
The Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office posted a badge covered with a blue and black mourning band on its Facebook page to remember Kunze.
“We will always remember him for his smile, his contagious laugh and his ability to engage anyone and everyone in conversation,” Easter said.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal officer involved shooting Sunday in rural Sedgwick County.
The deputy who died has been identified as 41-year-old Robert Kunze, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter.
At 1:18 pm, Sunday deputies were dispatched to the area of 53rd Street North and 295th Street West for a suspicious character. Deputy Kunze found a subject matching the description of the suspicious character call near the intersection of 295th Street West on 21st Street North, at approximately 1:42 pm.
Law enforcement authorities on the scene of Sunday’s investigation-photo courtesy KWCH
At approximately 1:48 pm, Deputy Kunze activated the emergency button on his portable radio. Deputy Farias arrived on scene and notified dispatch a deputy was down. Deputy Kunze was transported to St. Francis by ambulance. Deputy Kunze succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at approximately 2:55 pm.
The suspect who shot Deputy Kunze was pronounced dead at the scene. The sheriff’s department has not released the suspect’s name.
The suspect was allegedly involved in three crimes, according to Easter. Just before 1 a.m. Sunday, deputies responded to an aggravated robbery involving a stolen vehicle.
Just before 9:30a.m. Kunze responded to reported of a larceny of a vehicle. A .40 caliber handgun was reported stolen, according to Easter.
Police in Cheny located the stolen vehicle just before 6p.m. Sunday. Easter said the unidentified suspect is believed involved in each incident.
Kunze was a 12 year veteran of the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department. He is survived by a wife and child, according to Easter.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a deputy involved shooting that took the life of a Sedgwick County Deputy.
The deputy was responding to a suspicious character call. A second deputy on the scene found the deputy and suspect down, unresponsive suffering from gunshot wounds, according to Harper Police.
Authorities are expected to release more information at a press conference Sunday evening, according to the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s office.
Please keep the Officer’s family in your thoughts and prayers, as well as his extended family at the Sedgwick County Sheriff office.
Rest in peace Sir. pic.twitter.com/TsBitlCEBN
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Damarcus Myer and Olivia Justice were crowned king and queen Friday night as Hutchinson High School Fall Homecoming royalty. Myer was crowned before kickoff of the Hutch High-Garden City football game. Justice was crowned at halftime.
Other finalists for king were Jacob Cole, Tracy Geddes, Tristan Geddes, Bo Tolbert and Tate Webster. Finalists for queen were Morgan Armbrust, Tatum Dixon, Marisa Eldredge, Carter McFadden and Lexi Williams. All the candidates were seniors.
Also before Friday’s game, the Wall of Honor inductees were introduced to the crowd. The 2018-19 honorees are Kay Alden, class of 1964; Dick Heitschmidt, class of 1970; and Skip Wilson, class of 1976.
TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Supreme Court Friday overturned a Kansas Court of Appeals ruling, affirming Reno County District Judge Joe McCarville’s decision to revoke the probation of a 41-year-old Hutchinson man.
Phillip Clapp was convicted of numerous charges going back to 2013. He was granted community corrections, but then saw his corrections revoked. Clapp was ordered to prison for nearly 10 years.
The crimes included various drug and weapons charges, and the distribution of drugs.
Clapp petitioned the high court for a review of a Court of Appeals decision affirming the district court’s revocation of his probation and ordered him to serve his underlying prison sentence.
Clapp alternatively argues that, even if his sentence is not illegal, the district court erred by revoking his probation for a second probation violation.
The decision by Judge Joe McCarville is now reversed and the case is remanded back to District Court with directions. At any hearing, the only issue before the court will be appropriate disposition, as Clapp didn’t challenge the district court’s finding that he violated his probation.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The final vote total for the city of Highlands in northern Reno County was very much in favor of adding property tax for services in that town.
The final total was 135 in favor to 1 opposed. There are four provisional ballots that will be looked at in the canvass next Tuesday.
With 304 eligible voters in the Highlands, less than half chose to visit the polls. But, even with the turnout, the city has now received voter approval to raise $60,000 for its 2019 budget.
The Highlands became a city last year and the tax lid imposed by the legislature for local governments triggered the need for the special election.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One person was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center after a two-vehicle accident Friday morning.
Around 8:45 a.m., a van driven by 79-year-old Una E. Snowbarger was traveling east on 23rd, failed to stop at a stop sign at Adams, and collided with a northbound car driven by 39-year-old Angela M. Adams.
The impact pushed the van east of the intersection, where it rolled on its side. Hutchinson firefighters used the jaws of life to cut through part of the roof to free Snowbarger. She was transported to the hospital for treatment of injuries.
Adams was checked out at the scene, but appeared to be OK.
The accident caused Adams Street to be closed from 22nd to 24th.
Snowbarger was cited for failing to yield at the stop sign.
Original Story
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One person was transported to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center after a two-vehicle accident Friday morning.
It occurred just after 9 a.m. when a van traveling east on 23rd failed to stop at a stop sign at Adams and collided with a northbound car.
The impact pushed the van east of the intersection, where it rolled on its side. Hutchinson firefighters had to use the jaws of life to cut through part of the roof to free the woman inside. She was transported to the hospital with fairly minor injuries.
The driver of the car was checked at the scene but appeared to be OK.
Officials closed Adams from 22nd to 24th while clearing the accident.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local man and woman were arrested Tuesday after law enforcement searched a home on North Orchard.
Ethan Hogue was jailed for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia with intent to use for packaging drugs and personal use paraphernalia.
Phoebe Shaylor was also arrested. She faces the same charges, but was able to post bond.
Law enforcement thought there may have been drug distribution occurring at the home, but didn’t find a seller’s quantity at the time of the search. However, officers did find other items, including packaging materials.
Hogue will be back in court Sept. 20. Shaylor will make an initial court appearance next week.
Shaylor has 13 prior convictions for various crimes, including involvement with drugs.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A dispatch for the concern for welfare landed a homeless man in jail on several charges.
Police found 18-year-old Michael Pritchard Jr. sleeping in a car in an alley in the 1400 block of North Van Buren. Officers later learned the car had been reported stolen. However, Pritchard denied he stole the car. According to his statement to police, he claimed he just found it.
After he was arrested on the felony charge of possession of stolen property, police found a zipper pouch on him that contained suspected methamphetamine.
Potential charges include possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamine, criminal damage and drug paraphernalia.
