WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Wichita man was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for his involvement in 20 thefts in the several Wichita-area stores and homes.

The Sedgwick County District Attorney’s office says 58-year-old Timothy Kelly was sentenced for two robberies, two thefts and 16 burglaries. The crimes occurred between September 2016 and July 2017.

Most of the break-ins occurred at night after he broke windows to gain entry.

Kelly was also ordered on Friday to pay $3,896 to the victims of the two robberies at the Shirkmere Apartments in June, where he attacked and injured the residents.

Prosecutors say Kelly stoles such things as candy, cigarettes, batteries and other small items from several stores.

Kelly has 15 previous convictions for robbery, burglary and escape from custody, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

TOPEKA–Governor Sam Brownback on Tuesday issued an executive pardon to Mark Schmitt, a native of Liberal, Kan., currently residing in Parker Colorado, as announced in a media release. At the same time, Gov. Brownback denied 72 other requests for executive clemency. The pardon granted is the first and only pardon signed to date by Governor Brownback.

Mark Schmitt was convicted of felony theft in 1994, stemming from a false insurance claim amounting to $1,551.64. At the time, Schmitt was a 19-year-old college student, living in Ottawa, Kan. After his conviction, he completed a sentence involving probation and restitution, and has maintained a record of good conduct in the 23 years since. Franklin County District Court previously expunged his conviction and his pardon request was favorably recommended by the Prisoner Review Board.

Here’s the full list of the 72 applications for clemency that are denied. #ksleg #Kansas pic.twitter.com/cHXbK9jocX

— Sam Brownback (@govsambrownback) October 10, 2017

  “This request for clemency was unanimously supported at all levels of the process. He has demonstrated he is a man of character, having already paid his debt to society, having had his criminal record expunged, and having worked through the process of requesting a pardon, and proving the worthiness of his request at every step.” Schmitt first sought a pardon under the Parkinson administration, but his application was lost, and he reapplied under the administration of Governor Brownback.

MANHATTAN — Law enforcement authorities continue to investigate a case of vandalism on the Kansas State campus in Manhattan.

On Tuesday, the K-State Police Department asked for the public’s help with information on the damage to a Sukkah and a vehicle between Marlatt and Goodnow Halls at KSU on Friday, October 6, according to a social media report.

Police are investigating all causes because it is unknown if Friday’s severe weather had a role in the damage or if it was related to a hate crime.

There currently are no suspects and no witnesses have come forward.

On Monday Kansas State President Richard Myers released a statement condemning the violence.

In April the University condemned Anti-Semitic posters found on the KSU campus.

“In response to the hateful act on campus there will be a Sukkot Solidarity Dinner Wednesday, 6p.m. in Bosco Plaza on campus,” according to graduate student Glen Buickerood.

He had collaborated with the Jewish student group Hillel to put up the sukkah to promote diversity.

“Wednesday’s dinner will include a few speakers, but we will focus on being in community with one another, he said.

“Those attending are encouraged to bring a meal that upholds Jewish customs.  All are welcome.”

 

 

 

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (AP) — Authorities say an officer shot and wounded a man in suburban Kansas City while investigating a domestic disturbance.

The shooting happened Monday afternoon at a luxury apartment complex in Overland Park, Kansas. Police said in a news release that officers responded to the complex after a man called 911 and said he was armed with a knife. The man also is accused of threatening to kill himself and his wife.

The release says the man “displayed a weapon and charged toward the responding officers.” Police say one of the two officers at the scene shot the man twice.

The man was rushed to a hospital, where he is listed in stable condition. Pending an investigation, both officers have been placed on administrative leave, as is standard procedure.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

On Monday afternoon, police were on the scene of a shooting in the 14-1500 Block of SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release.

One person Bondderrick Sanders, 23, Topeka, was pronounced dead the scene. A second victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police located a red vehicle with three black men in connection with the investigation.  The shooting is being investigated as a homicide, according to Lt. Jennifer Cross.

Police released no additional details.
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SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fatal shooting.

Just after 1:30p.m. Monday police were on the scene of a shooting in the 14-1500 Block of SW Western Avenue in Topeka, according to a media release. At the same time, officers responded to report of a shooting victim at a local hospital, according to police LT. Jennifer Cross.

One person was pronounced dead the scene on SW Western.

The other victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police believe the two calls are related and are looking for a red Fiat with three black men for questioning in connection with the incident, according to police.

Names of the shooting victims have not been released.

MULVANE, Kan. – The Butler County Sheriff’s Office has requested that the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) distribute the below press release in the form of a statewide Silver Alert.

It is believed that 86-year-old Dixie Adair, a white female from Rose Hill, who is 5 ft. 4 in. tall, 180 lbs., with blue eyes, blonde hair, and a fair complexion, may be headed west on Highway 81 after leaving the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kan. She also may be driving a 2011 white 4-door, Toyota, Camry with Kansas disabled tag: 88398. She may be disoriented.

Adair did stay the weekend at the casino and left the casino property alone at 10:20 hours on Monday in her vehicle westbound towards Highway 81. Dixie Adair does have a heart condition and does take medication for her heart condition. Kansas Star Casino did report that Dixie Adair did seem to be disorientated when she left the Casino property and left her luggage at the front desk area. Brett Adair reports that it is out of character for his mother to be gone this long and to not answer her cellphone.

Contact has been made with several local jails, hospitals, and other casino within Kansas and Oklahoma and no one has reported to have been in contact with Dixie Adair. Attempts have been made to try to ping the cellular phone, which Dixie Adair may or may not have, has come back unsuccessful at this time.

If contact is made, please contact the Butler County Sheriff’s Office at (316) 322-4254.

LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. (AP) – Authorities are investigating a report that a special needs student was sexually assaulted in a bathroom of a suburban Kansas City high school.

The Kansas City Star reports that the assault is alleged to have occurred in August at Lee’s Summit West High School but wasn’t reported until last month.

Police said in an incident report that the student began experiencing hallucinations and having fits of rape in August. The report says the student eventually told a nurse that another student pulled him into a bathroom and assaulted him. The student said he blacked out.

A relative described the special needs student as “low-functioning, but verbal.” Police said Monday that the investigation is ongoing and that the school district is cooperating. No arrests have been made.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating an aggravated battery and have arrested a suspect.

Just after 6p.m. Sunday police responded to report of a stabbing the 1600 Block of South Broadway in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

A 25-year-old victim told police she was at the Frontier Hotel with a 41-year-old man. She said he became upset about a cell phone and hit her in the face multiple times and choked her.

The victim says she used a pocket knife to stab the man in the leg to get away. Emergency Medical crew transported the woman to an area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect identified by the Sedgwick County Jail booking report as James Ritchie was also transported for treatment and then booked into jail for Aggravated Battery.

Ritchie has previous convictions for Aggravated Robbery, Drugs and Aggravated Battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.

SEDGWICK COUNTY — A Kansas police officer is in jail.

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — The grandparents of a 2-year-old Kansas boy say the state is acting as “religious police” by requiring vaccinations for children.

The Kansas City Star reports that Linus and Terri Baker are suing the state Department for Children and Families after the agency announced its intention to vaccinate the boy despite the family’s wishes.

The Bakers have physical custody of the boy as his foster parents. The couple opposes immunization on religious and health grounds.

But because the child is in temporary state custody, the department has the authority to make the immunization decision.

State law says children in child care facilities are required to have current immunizations unless there are health risks or religious reasons.

A department spokeswoman says the agency can’t comment on the pending lawsuit.