Preliminary hearing for suspect in rash of local burglaries in recess

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man suspected of committing 20 local burglaries back in the early morning hours of May 14, was in court Monday afternoon for a preliminary hearing, however they the hearing isn’t over. The hearing for Joseph Paul Jones Jr., is in recess till Tuesday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. After the state rested their case, Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen decided to hear arguments from the two attorney’s at that time.

Jones was arrested in Wichita for the warrants stemming from the burglaries here in Hutchinson, but also faces charges in Lyon County for similar crimes. He also has a violation of his parole for crimes in Springfield, Missouri.

The state alleges that between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., 20 local businesses were entered by prying open doors or breaking the glass windows with a crow bar. Jones allegedly cut the telephone lines on several of the businesses prior to making entry.

During the investigation, police found surveillance video of the suspect entering Papa Murphy’s Pizza located in the State Fair Shopping Center at 2420 N. Main. Pictures were taken from the video and sent to his parole officer in Missouri and that officer testified that its a high probability that it was Jones involved in the local burglaries.

Also on the stand was Emporia Police Detective Kelly Davis who learned of the Reno County cases through media reports and knew the crimes were similar to ones in his community two weeks earlier. He made contact with Hutchinson Police to compare notes.

Hutchinson Detective Curtis Black also took the stand and testified over the investigation and DNA evidence. In one location, there was blood found and in another, police found a cloth glove. In both cases they tested for DNA and the state says the DNA from both matches the defendant. They also showed the judge surveillance video from Papa Murphy’s and a local KWIK Shop that they allege shows Jones.

The owners of the numerous burglaries also took the stand and told of learning about their businesses being broken into. Most stated that they didn’t have anything missing, but did suffer damage and knew someone had been inside because of things being out of place. Some did say they had small amounts of cash taken.

The hearing is again in recess and will resume Tuesday afternoon.

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Local Elementary School in lock down briefly Monday

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A local elementary story was in lock down for about 40-minutes Monday afternoon when they got word that a local man on community corrections had threatened to kill himself and do it in front of his kids.

27-year-old Vern Craig was found at his workplace and told authorities that he was just trying to get his ex-girlfriends attention and didn’t attend to kill himself. He was taken to jail on what is called an “arrest and detain” for a violation of his corrections for a conviction of forgery.

Police had a number of officers around the school for a heightened presence, but turns out there was no danger and the kids were allowed to leave school as normal.

Apparently his corrections officer went to his workplace and asked what was going on. He was then taken into custody and was never near the school at anytime.

Craig will most likely appear before a judge sometime this week. At this point, there is no bond set for the A&D.

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Suspect found guilty in kidnapping case formally charged with criminal threat

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a 32-year-old Hutchinson man was found guilty of kidnapping last week, he now face additional charge of criminal threat.

Todd Lloyd is accused of yelling out in court that if he got free, he would kill two officers who nearly killed him in the altercation back on April 23. According to witnesses, this happened in open court and District Attorney Keith Schroeder filed the new charge against Lloyd.

He was expected to appear in court via-video from the county jail last Friday, but refused. He did appear Monday morning via-video and insisted that the hearing be recorded. So, Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen quickly set it up so it could be. He was then told of the criminal threat charge which alleges he threatened the life of Hutchinson Police Officers, Sgt. Josh Radloff and Sgt. Eric Buller. They were the two officers involved when Lloyd was holding his girlfriend at knife point in front them. That incident occurred as he tried to elude a community corrections officer who wanted him taken into custody for a violation from an earlier case. They came close to shooting him, but held off after Lloyd dropped the knives he was holding and after a brief struggle, were then able to get him into custody.

He was assigned Carl Maughn, the same attorney who represented him in the kidnapping case to represent him on the new charge. This case is now set for a waiver-status on November 18.

Last week, Judge Trish Rose set sentencing in the kidnapping case for November 21.