Shotgun wielding victim chases burglary suspect

Posted: November 30, 2012 - 4:18am
Updated: November 30, 2012 - 5:04am

Officers from at least four departments searched for an auto burglary suspect this morning in Merriam.

Police were called to the 8300 block of W. 60th Street around 3:45 a.m.. A caller reported that her husband was chasing a man who was seen inside of a parked vehicle. While Merriam officers were responding on the call, Dispatchers reported that the husband was armed with a gun and chasing the suspect away. Dispatchers reported hearing shots being fired over the phone line.

Merriam Police requested assistance from surrounding agencies including; Mission, Overland Park, and Shawnee. Responding officers established a perimeter around the area to contain the suspect.

The victim of the auto burglary, armed with a shotgun, was located about a block away from his residence. Officers secured the weapon and began interviewing the victim regarding the incident.

The suspect was described as a white male with a medium to heavy build, he is said to have a "scruffy" beard and was wearing a dark red flannel coat and dark pants. He was last seen running west towards Antioch Road.

Shawnee Police had their K-9 unit at the scene and searched the area for the suspect. The area search was concluded at 4:50 a.m., with the suspect remaining at large.

No injuries have been reported and Police continue to investigate.

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Woman rescued after crashing vehicle into a tree and ravine

Posted: November 30, 2012 - 2:14am
Updated: November 30, 2012 - 5:43am

File photo of Shawnee Fire Department's Rescue 71

Firefighters from two area departments worked the scene of a single vehicle accident in Kansas City, Kansas this morning.

The accident was reported shortly before 2 a.m. on County Line Road between S. 59th Street and S. 63rd Street. On the Johnson County side, County Line Road is known as W. 47th Street, while S. 59th Street is Nieman Road, and S. 63rd Street is Quivira Road.

Shawnee Police arrived on the scene at 1:58 a.m., to report one vehicle had left the roadway and partially rolled over. Fire units from Kansas City, Kansas and Shawnee were both dispatched to the area.

Initial reports from the scene indicated that the vehicle left the roadway, struck a tree, and then partially rolled into a ravine.

Shawnee Fire arrived on the scene to report the involved vehicle had sustained heavy damage in the crash and was occupied by one person.

Kansas City, Kansas Fire 'Heavy Rescue 1' and Shawnee Fire 'Rescue 71' responded to the scene for assistance in stabilizing the vehicle and extricating the driver. Crews from both Fire Departments worked for just over 20 minutes to stabilize the vehicle and extricate the driver. The vehicle's airbags deployed in the accident and the driver was wearing a seat belt.

The female driver, said to be in her early 50's, sustained non-life threatening injuries. She was transported by Kansas City, Kansas EMS to a Kansas City trauma center.

Kansas City, Kansas Police are investigating if alcohol may have played a role in the accident's cause.

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One person seriously injured in early morning crash

Posted: November 29, 2012 - 3:00am
Updated: November 29, 2012 - 3:37am

Overland Park Firefighters work to extricate a driver
Image from Overland Park traffic camera system

The Overland Park Police Department is investigating what led up to a serious crash on Metcalf Avenue early this morning.

First responders were called to the 7600 block of Metcalf Avenue shortly after 2:30 a.m., Thursday. Firefighters arrived on the scene to report one of the vehicles had been heavily damaged.

One person had to be extricated from the vehicle, which was believed to have struck a utility pole. That person's injuries were said to be serious but, non-life threatening.

Two other people were said to have sustained minor injuries.

Police are investigating if alcohol may have played a role in the accident.

No other details were immediately available.

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Overland Park Police Thanksgiving Mobilization results

Posted: November 28, 2012 - 3:29pm

The Overland Park Police Department has released their results of the Thanksgiving Mobilizations STEP (Special Traffic Enforcement Program). The campaign began on November 19th and lasted through November 25th.

The Kansas Highway Patrol released their results earlier this week.

During the campaign Officers were looking for DUI and seat belt violations. Officers also looked for child passenger seat violations, speeding, and alcohol related violations in an effort to reduce alcohol related auto accidents.

All information provided by the Overland Park Police Department.

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Three people injured in crossover crash on K-10

Posted: November 27, 2012 - 7:14am
Updated: November 27, 2012 - 11:40am

Updated story:

The Kansas Highway Patrol has confirmed that this morning's accident was a crossover.

Troopers say at approximately 7 a.m., a 2005 Ford pickup truck was traveling in the right lane of eastbound K-10. The second vehicle, a 2005 Hyundai Elantra was traveling in the left lane next to the Ford truck.

The driver of the Ford truck attempted to change lanes to the left, causing the driver of the Hyundai to make an avoidance maneuver to the left. The Ford's driver lost control of the vehicle and crossed the center median. The Hyundai's driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and came to a stop in the center median.

A third vehicle, a 2005 Scion XB, was traveling westbound on K-10 and swerved to the right in an attempt to avoid the out of control Ford truck. The Scion broadsided the Ford truck in the driver's door. Both vehicles came to rest off of the right shoulder of the westbound lanes of K-10.

Troopers have identified the driver of the Ford truck as, 62-year-old, Martin Bruce of Baldwin City. Bruce was wearing his seat belt when the accident occurred. He was transported to an area hospital.

The driver of the Hyundai Elantra has been identified as, Lawrence resident, Rachel Debes, 25. She was not injured in the incident and was wearing a seat belt.

Investigators say there were three people in the Scion. Those people have been identified as Olathe residents, Luis Elias-Sanchez, 29; Juan Moreno-Lopez, 22; and Carlos Torres-Oliva, 19. According to the Kansas Highway Patrol's accident report, Elias-Sanchez was not injured in the accident and was wearing a seat belt. Moreno-Lopez and Torres-Oliva were both injured in the crash and, according to the report, it is unknown if they were wearing seat belts. Both were transported to an area hospital. 

Troopers did not provide any updates on the conditions of the injured people.

Original story:

The Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating a serious accident on K-10 in De Soto.

The accident was reported to authorities at 7:05 a.m. and is in the westbound lanes of K-10 just east of Kill Creek Road.

Initial reports indicated the crash began in the eastbound lanes of K-10 with a car and truck colliding. The truck then reportedly crossed the center median and collided with a westbound vehicle. This information has not been confirmed by authorities as of this report.

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office say three vehicles, two with heavy damage, were involved in the accident.

Northwest Consolidated Fire District crews responded to the scene with Johnson County Med-Act. Reports from the scene indicated; one person with critical injuries, two others are said to have serious injuries and a fourth person with minor injuries is refusing treatment.

Dispatchers tell Operation 100 News that the accident scene has been cleared and traffic is returning to normal.

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Kansas Highway Patrol releases Thanksgiving weekend results

Posted: November 26, 2012 - 3:41pm
Updated: November 26, 2012 - 4:07pm

The Kansas Highway Patrol has released their activity numbers for their Thanksgiving patrols. The Patrol and other local agencies participated in the Special Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). The Kansas Department of Transportation provided a grant for the additional enforcement.

The reporting period for the holiday weekend began at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21, and lasted through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 25. Troopers say they worked tow fatality crashes during that time. One of those fatal crashes was alcohol-related.

Click numbers to view larger

These numbers are statewide for the Kansas Highway Patrol only. Other local agencies that participated in the holiday weekend STEP will be released separately.


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Johnson County teenager killed in ATV accident

Posted: November 25, 2012 - 4:07am
Updated: November 25, 2012 - 4:48pm

One person was killed and another injured when the ATV they were riding on crashed in rural Miami County this morning.

Authorities were called to a field, just south of 395th Street and Victory Road around 3 a.m.. The accident scene is approximately one mile to the southeast of Fontana in south central Miami County. EMS personnel immediately pronounced one person deceased and another critically injured.

A LifeFlight Eagle helicopter was responded to the scene and transported a seriously injured female to a metro area trauma center. Authorities say her injuries are non-life threatening.

Miami County Authorities believe the Polaris ATV was being driven with four people on it when when it rolled, killing one person and injuring the driver. The person killed has been identified as, 17-year-old, Tyler Rathbun of Westwood, Kansas. The driver has not been identified and remains hospitalized.

A friend of Rathbun's tells Operation 100 News that Tyler was a Senior at Shawnee Mission East High School, in Prairie Village, and was also the Captain of the Soccer team.

The accident remains under investigation.

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Local Fire Departments promoting safe holiday cooking practices this Thanksgiving

Posted: November 20, 2012 - 1:30pm

Area Fire Departments are reminding residents to use caution when cooking this Thanksgiving.

The National Fire Protection Association says that Thanksgiving Day remains the number one day for home cooking fires in the United States. Home cooking fires peak on major holidays that traditionally include Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Deep fried turkeys are a popular Thanksgiving treat but, outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers create serious safety concerns:

• Hot oil may spill onto the open burner and create fire - Some fryers has as much as 35 quarts of oil.
• Cooking oil may be heated beyond its cooking temperatures and the vapors can ignite.
• The fryer can easily tip over and spill hot, scalding oil onto anyone or anything nearby.
• The fryer's sides, lids and handles get extremely hot and can cause severe burns.

The Olathe Fire Department provided this video which shows a partially frozen turkey being placed in a propane-fueled fryer and the ensuing reaction of hot oil bubbling out of the fryer and onto the burner. The Fire Department says the spilled oil is hot enough to cause third degree burns in less than one second.

The Underwriters Laboratory Inc., a global product safety testing and certification source with more than a century of experience, does not certify any turkey fryer with the trusted UL mark.

Olathe Fire Captain and Fire Education Association of Kansas President Mike Hall says, "Help ensure a safer Thanksgiving holiday by leaving deep fried turkeys to the culinary professionals."

Information provided by the Olathe Fire Department.

Lenexa man killed in rollover crash

Posted: November 20, 2012 - 2:07am
Updated: November 20, 2012 - 1:10pm

Update:

Overland Park Police have identified the 20-year-old man killed in this morning's accident as John Stevens Hauk II of Lenexa, Kansas. Investigators say he was not wearing a seat belt and suffered fatal injuries in the accident. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Friends tell Operation 100 News, Hauk was a 2010 graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

Original Story:

Accident scene at 2:05 a.m.
Click image to view larger
Kansas City Scout

The Overland Park Police Department Traffic Safety Unit is investigating what caused a fatal accident this morning.

Police say they were called to northbound US 69 highway just north of Interstate 435 at 1:52 Tuesday morning.

Investigators say one car was involved and rolled after losing control on the ramp from westbound Interstate 435 to northbound US 69 highway. The driver is believed to have over corrected twice before the car rolled an undetermined number of times.

Overland Park Fire units reported the car had come to rest on its top and sustained heavy damage.

The driver and sole occupant of the car, a 20-year-old male, was pronounced dead at the scene. That man's identity will not been released until his family can be notified.

The northbound lanes of of US 69 were closed, at Interstate 435, as the accident is investigated. Those lanes were reopened around 4:00 a.m.. Police say the ramp from westbound Interstate 435 to northbound US 69 was reopened at 5:48 a.m..

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Olathe Wal-Mart evacuated after bomb threat

Posted: November 19, 2012 - 8:08am

Olathe Police say they were called to the Wal-Mart, 395 N. K-7 Highway at 11:57 Sunday night on a reported bomb threat.

Officers contacted an employee who reported the store had received a call from an unknown person who stated there was a bomb in the store. The store was immediately evacuated and the Olathe Fire Department's K-9 was used to check the interior of the store.

Nothing was found during the search and the store was reopened at 2:03 Monday morning, according to a statement from Olathe Police.

The incident remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Olathe Police at 913-971-6950 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

As of this report, there have been no reports of any similar calls at other area Walmart stores as there was back in July of this year. Previous story on threats received at three Kansas Walmart stores.

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Alert Police Officer likely saves woman's life

Posted: November 15, 2012 - 2:10pm

A Shawnee Police Officer on routine patrol likely saved a woman's life last week.

The department says, at 11:30 p.m. Friday, November 9th, Officer Justin Cobb was patrolling the area of the 7400 block of Martindale Road, in western Shawnee, when he noticed what he believed to be an unoccupied SUV on the side of the roadway.

Officer Cobb approached the blue SUV on foot. While looking at the stopped vehicle he noticed a woman in the backseat who appeared to be asleep. When attempts to wake the woman were unsuccessful, Officer Cobb opened the car door and found the female was unresponsive.

Johnson County Med-Act was called to the scene and through further investigation determined the woman was suffering from a suspected drug overdose. The woman was transported to a local medical center for treatment.

A statement released by the department says, "Officer Cobb's attentiveness to duty and quick action surely saved the victim's life. Needless to say, the Shawnee Police Department is very proud of Officer Cobb."

Information provided by the Shawnee Police Department.

Suspect in fatal shooting found dead in KCMO

Posted: November 15, 2012 - 7:24am
Updated: November 15, 2012 - 1:14pm

Update:

Mission Police say this morning's disturbance was a dispute between two brothers.

Officers were called to 5799 Broadmoor at about 7:14 this morning. Arriving units located, 57-year-old, Todd A. Pruitt of Shawnee, shot in the parking lot. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Investigators say the suspect is Todd's brother, Robert Pruitt, 58 of Merriam. Witnesses reported Robert fleeing the scene in a medium blue Ford Fiesta. That vehicle, a rental car, had been reported stolen.

Around 12:20 p.m., officers searching a park in the area of Interstate 435 and Holmes in Kansas City, Missouri, located the suspect, Robert Pruitt, who had taken his own life.

Police say that the family has been notified. No other details are currently being released.

Original report:

Mission Police are investigating a shooting this morning.

Police were called to the area of Johnson Drive and Broadmoor Street at 7:15 a.m. on what was initially reported as an armed disturbance. Officers located a subject laying in the parking lot of an office building at 5799 Broadmoor Street with multiple gunshots wounds.

The victim is said to be a male in his late 40's or 50's with as many as five gunshot wounds. Police confirm the victim has died as a result of multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the forehead and at least three to the chest. Police say they believe the victim knew his attacker.

Officers have confirmed the suspect is a white male in his 40's, approximately 6 feet tall, 180lbs. The suspect reportedly fled in a blue Ford Fiesta hatchback with Illinois license plates. The vehicle fled northbound from the scene on Broadmoor. Police say they have a lead on a suspect, no other details are currently being released. Police say they have several witnesses to the incident.

Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Mission Police or the TIPS Hotline 816-474-TIPS (8477).

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigators are assisting with the investigation.

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Six displaced, one injured, in two-alarm building fire

Posted: November 12, 2012 - 9:33am
Updated: November 12, 2012 - 3:48pm

Firefighters from the Overland Park Fire Department are on scene of a building fire this morning.

Video courtesy: Overland Park Fire Department

Crews were dispatched around 9:20 Monday to the Hawthorne Apartments at 5319 W. 121st Terrace in Overland Park.

Upon arrival at the scene firefighters reported heavy smoke coming from the building. Further investigation led crews to report fire from one unit of the two story building.

Bystanders told crews there was possibly someone inside the building. One person was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation according to Jason Rhodes, Overland Park Fire Department's Media Manager.

Rhodes says, "firefighters used Compressed Air and Foam Systems (CAFS) to quickly knock down the bulk of the fire."

Investigators say improper disposal of fireplace material sparked the two-alarm blaze. A resident told investigators that he had used his fireplace yesterday, cleaned it out this morning and placed the ashes in a plastic container on the deck of his apartment. The plastic container is said to have failed and the fire was able to spread up the side of the building and into the attic.

One apartment was completely destroyed, according to officials, four others will be uninhabitable until renovations can be completed.

The Leawood Fire Department assisted with the incident.

Overland Park Fire officials declared the fire to be under control at 10:09 a.m. and was declared out at 10:30 a.m..

The Greater Kansas City Chapter of the American Red Cross says they assisted six adults who were displaced by the fire.

The Overland Park Fire Department reminds the public to have your fireplace and furnace inspected annually by a professional. Also, ensure that you have working and well maintained smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide detector.

Fireplace ashes should be allowed to cool completely and then be placed in a tightly sealed metal container, at least 10 feet from any combustible material, and should be saturated with water. Ashes should never be dumped directly into a trash can.

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FOUND: Chase B. Lekan - November 2012

Posted: November 9, 2012 - 2:23pm
Updated: November 13, 2012 - 10:55am

Update:

Olathe Police say Chase B. Lekan has been located and is in good health. No other information is being released.

Original report:

15-year-old, Chase B. Lekan missing from Olathe, Kansas
Photo courtesy: Olathe Police Department

Olathe Police are seeking the public's assistance in locating a missing endangered runaway.

Police say 15-year-old (December 21, 1996), Chase B. Lekan ran away from his Olathe residence on November 1, 2012. Chase is white male, standing approximately 5 foot 11 inches tall, and 160-170lbs.

Chase suffers from Bi-Polar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and ADHD. He also has a Heart Arrhythmia, he is on prescription medications but left home without them. Chase has been suicidal in the past, has a history of violent tendencies and is known to use drugs.

It is unknown what clothing Chase was wearing when he left his residence.

Olathe Police ask anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts to call you local Police Department immediately.

Chase Lekan has ran away from home before in late April 2012. He was located safe a few days later. Previous story link

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Lenexa K-9 Team awarded at national competition

Posted: November 8, 2012 - 11:24pm

Click image to view larger
Photo Courtesy: Lenexa Police Department

Lenexa Police Department's K-9 Team participated in the National Police Canine Association seminars and competition in October, held in Fort Myers, Florida.

Officer Jim Harris and K-9 Speedy were awarded first place in the patrol category. Officer Tim King and K-9 Wrecker earned fifth place in the narcotics competition, Wrecker joined the Lenexa Police Department only four months ago.

Corporal Ryan Sumner and K-9 Diesel were awarded fifth place in the patrol category. Cpl. Sumner was also elected as National Police Canine Association representative for our region, which covers several states.

"Ryan will be responsible for all the memberships in the region and will be a part of the decisions made at the national level,"said Sergeant Greg Bogart. "The top dog trainers in the country are involved in the selection of the representatives. They all respect Ryan and his abilities, and this is a great honor for him, the K-9 Unit and Lenexa."

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Two seriously injured in Lawrence crash

Posted: November 8, 2012 - 3:18am
Updated: November 8, 2012 - 8:06am

Lawrence Police and Fire Medical crews were called to the intersection of W. 23rd Street and Naismith Drive at 2:52.

Arriving police officers reported two vehicles were involved and one person would need to be extricated from the crashed vehicle. Fire Medical crews arrived to report both vehicles sustained "moderate damage." Two people were injured, one in each vehicle, those injuries were both initially said to be serious. One of the injured driver's condition was upgraded to critical after further assessment by units at the scene.

Incident Command requested a LifeStar Helicopter respond to the scene at 3:05. The air-ambulance arrived over the scene at 3:18 and safely landed in the Hobby Lobby parking lot (1801 W. 23rd Street) at 3:20. Crews worked for about 20 minutes to extricate the pinned driver of one vehicle.

The critically injured person, only described as a male in his mid 20's, was transported by ambulance to the helicopter and was transported to the University of Kansas Medical Center. Initial reports from investigators indicate he was not wearing a seat belt when the crash occurred.

The seriously injured person, only described as a female in her late 30's, was transported by ambulance to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Initial reports indicate that she was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Lawrence Police continue to investigate the accident.

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Olathe Subway robbed

Posted: November 8, 2012 - 1:42am

Olathe Police are investigating after a restaurant was robbed Wednesday night.

Police say they were called to the Subway at 13700 S. Black Bob Road at 9:50 p.m. following an armed robbery. Arriving officers learned that two men had entered the store and demanded money from the register. The clerk complied with their demands and the men left on foot in an unknown direction.

Both suspects were described as wearing black hooded sweatshirts, black pants and skeleton masks. One of the men was armed with an unknown type handgun.

The exact amount of loss has not been released.

This case remains under investigation by the Olathe Police Department. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at 913-971-6950 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

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Daylight Savings Time ends early Sunday

Posted: November 3, 2012 - 1:40pm
Updated: November 3, 2012 -5:02pm

The Overland Park Fire Department is reminding everyone that as they change their clocks back an hour, as daylight savings time ends, it is also a good time to replace your smoke alarm batteries.

Officials say that you should check your smoke alarms monthly, change the batteries twice a year and completely replace your alarms every 10 years, according to manufacturer's recommendations.

Information provided by the Overland Park Fire Department. More information on fire prevention and safety tips can be found here.