SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are asking the public for help to locate a wanted Kansas felon. Tyreese L. Atkinson, 25, Wichita, is wanted on two Sedgwick County sheriff’s warrants for attempted second-degree murder, aggravated battery, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of marijuana and evade and elude police, according to a media release from Wichita Police
Atkinson is described as 6-foot-2 inches tall, 215 pounds with brown eyes, balding and a beard. He has previous convictions for burglary and theft, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.
He is a documented gang member and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Atkinson should call 911, according to police.
MCPHERSON COUNTY –An explosion at a home in rural McPherson County was the result of a propane leak, according to Captain Dean Scott with the McPherson County Sheriff’s department.
KHP took photos of the aftermath of the explosion for the Kansas State Fire Marshal
The explosion occurred just after 5p.m. Wednesday at a residence in the 1600 Block of 24th Avenue northeast of Galva, Kansas.
When fire crews arrived, they found the home completely leveled and debris scattered over several hundred yards, according to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
The two residents Kim and Rich Carlson were not home at the time of the explosion. The home is a total loss. The family also lost three dogs, cats and a pet pig.
The homeowner had reported smelling propane the day of the incident and had a company check the furnace, according to Scott.
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One person died in an accident just after 2 a.m. Friday in Reno County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 1999 Buick Century driven by Melvin G. Uphoff, 72, Hutchinson, was traveling southwest on Kansas 61, six miles west of South Hutchinson.
The vehicle struck a 2014 International Prostar, driven by Jose Cota-Espinoza, 46, Mexicali, Mexico, that became stuck when the driver missed an exit and attempted to make a U-turn and blocked both lanes of the highway.
Uphoff was pronounced dead at the scene and was transported to the Sedgwick County Forensics Center. Cota-Espinoza was not injured. Neither drivers was wearing a seat belt, according to the KHP.
The probable cause affidavit was released Thursday in the case against the boy’s mother, 24-year-old Stephanie Aviles, and her boyfriend, 31-year-old Bernardo Gonzalez-Mejia. They’re charged with first-degree murder in the Sept. 29 death of Jacob Aviles.
Stephanie Aviles told police that Gonzalez-Mejia called her while she was out, first to tell her the boy wasn’t breathing and then to say he was turning yellow. She called 911. She said her son had been hurt before while with Gonzalez-Mejia, but that he would “explain it away.”
The affidavit says Gonzalez-Mejia initially denied injuring Jacob but then admitted that he hit the boy with a belt the night before because he wasn’t eating.
PHILLIPS COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are seeking information from hunters and land owners in the area of West 900 and West Osage Road in Phillips County who may have captured some suspicious activity on trail cameras, according to a social media report from the sheriff’s department.
Sometime in the past two days, someone killed a heifer and butchered it in the pasture where it was kept.
“Please review your trail cam footage and contact the sheriff’s office if you notice anything out of the ordinary.”
Farmers are also encouraged to check their herds which may still be in pastures and report any missing or dead cattle.
KEARNY COUNTY– The Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Investigation Division has classified a fatal fire in rural Kearny County, south of Deerfield, Kan., that occurred early Tuesday morning as undetermined, according to Jill Bronaugh with the State Fire Marshal’s office.
Google map
The Kearny County Sheriff’s Office and local fire department asked the OSFM investigators for assistance with the house fire at, 2102 Road 150, that left two individuals dead. Two others were able to escape.
The fire originated in the garage. The two fatality victims have been identified as Jim Dale, 84, and Reta Dale, 84, both occupants of the house. Two other occupants escaped, one with very minor injuries, and the other uninjured.
There were operating smoke detectors within the residence. Damages are estimated at $150,000.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have made an arrest.
Garrett photo Sedgwick County
Just after 6p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1400 Block of North Ohio Street in Wichita, according to Captain Brent Allred.
At the scene, police located a 15-year-old later identified as Marion Wheaton who had been shot in his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died.
On Thursday evening police reported the arrest of 18-year-old Malick Garrett of Wichita on a requested charge of 2nd degree murder and outstanding warrants in connection with Wheaton’s death.
Investigators have learned that Wheaton and two teenage friends walked to the area to meet with a 15-year-old boy and other unknown individuals to fight over an ongoing dispute that involved social media, according to Allred.
As Wheaton and his friends walked in the area, they were approached by a vehicle. A 15-year-old male and Garrett exited the vehicle. Garrett fired multiple shots from a handgun, striking Wheaton.
This was not a random incident, according to Allred. Multiple handguns were recovered during the investigation.
It is the 24th criminal homicide in Wichita in 2019.
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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting and have identified the victim.
Just after 6p.m. Wednesday, police responded to report of a shooting in the 1400 Block of North Ohio Street in Wichita, according to Captain Brent Allred. At the scene, police located a 15-year-old later identified as Marion Wheaton who had been shot in his upper body. EMS transported him to a local hospital where he died.
Investigators have learned that Wheaton and two teenage friends walked to the area to meet with a 15-year-old boy and other unknown individuals to fight over an ongoing dispute that involved social media, according to Allred.
As Wheaton and his friends walked in the area, they were approached by a vehicle. A 15-year-old boy and unknown individuals exited the vehicle and shots were fired striking Wheaton.
This was not a random incident, according to Allred and police know some of the teens were involved in gang activity. Police know that there were basketball practices going on in the area and hope that those individuals will come forward with information. Authorities have not located the suspect vehicle and have not released details on the vehicle. Police have not reported an arrest.
It is the 24th criminal homicide in Wichita in 2019.
HUTCHINSON— Authorities are working to determine the cause of a fire at a home in Hutchinson.
Friday morning house fire photo courtesy Hutchinson Fire Department
Just after 1:30 a.m. Friday, fire crews responded to a structure fire at 14 East Bigger Street, according to Fire Chief Steve Beer.
Upon arrival, fire crews were faced with a one-story residential home with heavy fire coming from 50 percent of the structure at the rear of the home. All occupants were out of the home upon fire crew’s arrival.
Due to the amount of heavy fire showing and adjacent structure that was being threatened by fire, fire crews went into defensive operations. Multiple handlines and an aerial ladder were used to contain the fire. There was extensive damage to the entire attic space and rear portion of the home, according to Beer. Fire crews remain on scene completing salvage and overhaul. Fire Investigators are working to determine the cause.
A single resident was alerted by a passing motorist that was driving down the street and noticed the residence on fire. The home had no working smoke detectors in it at the time of the fire.
With the recent cold weather, and added heating devices, HFD reminded citizens about the importance of having a working smoke detector. Smoke detectors do save lives. HFD also wants to remind our citizens that we have a smoke detector program, please call 620-694-2871. Fire crews will be canvasing the neighborhood tomorrow and talking to residences about fire safety.
SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating two separate attacks on deputies by inmates at the Sedgwick County Jail over the past week.
Just after 6:30a.m. October 31, an inmate identified as 23-year-old William Farmer became irate during breakfast and assaulted two other inmates and a detention deputy working in the pod, according to Colonel Brian White in charge of the detention division. Jail staff were ultimately able to restrain Farmer.
The 28-year-old deputy, an employee with the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department for only four months, received treatment for minor injuries at a local hospital
Farmer, arrested October 9 on drug and host of driving charges has now been criminally charged with battery of a law enforcement officer and two counts of battery, according to online jail records.
Just after 4a.m.Thursday, 42-year-old inmate Dewayne Anderson, who was booked October 5, for aggravated assault and aggravated battery, left a shower, demanded a beverage, refused to return to his room and physically assaulted detention staff, according to White.
Anderson photo Sedgwick Co.
During the process of attempting to gain control and restrain Anderson, a 24-year-old detention deputy sustained a broken ankle. A 45-year-old detention deputy broke his hand during the altercation.
The detention deputy with the broken ankle was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and underwent surgery. The detention deputy sustaining the broken hand was transported by Sheriff’s Office staff to a local hospital for treatment. Despite a quick response to calm the situation, two deputies suffered broken bones, according to White.
The Sheriff’s Office Investigations Section is currently investigating the matter and will be presenting the case to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office for charges.
TROY, Kan. (AP) — A former nurses’ aide from Atchison has been sentenced to two years in prison for Medicaid fraud and other charges.
Sakakihara photo Doniphan Co.
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said in a news release that 26-year-old Janelle Lynn Sakakihara was sentenced Thursday for fraud and two counts of felony mistreatment of a dependent adult.
Investigators say Sakakihara abused several people in September 2017 while she worked as a nurses’ aide at a Highland Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.
She was among 10 people in seven Kansas counties charged in September 2018 as part of a statewide enforcement sweep that focused on people committing Medicaid fraud, stealing narcotics and/or mistreating dependent adults while working in health care facilities or board-and-care facilities that receive Medicaid funding.
