Kansas Klips

Northwest Kansas woman hospitalized after car lands in creek

PHILLIPS COUNTY—One person was injured in an accident just before 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 2nd, in Phillips County. The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2008 Buick Lucerne driven by Mary J. Biggs, 60, Logan, was westbound on K9 just east of W. 500 Road. The driver failed to negotiate a curve and lost control of the car. It traveled into the north ditch and came to a rest in a creek. EMS transported Biggs to the Phillips County Hospital. She was properly restrained, according to the KHP. (Hays Post)

Police investigating series of vehicle burglaries in Russell

RUSSELL COUNTY—Russell Police Department officers are investigating a series of vehicle burglaries. Early on Wednesday, December 4th, the Russell Police Department started receiving reports of vehicle burglaries occurring throughout the city, according to a media release. The vehicle burglaries targeted unlocked vehicles in the areas of Russell. Investigation into these incidents is ongoing and 23 separate vehicle burglaries have been reported. Police are asking residents who have surveillance camera systems to review their footage on December 4th, from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. If residents find something suspicious on their camera footage or were burglarized and have not reported it, please contact the police at 785-483-2121. A crime prevention reminder is to park in well-lit areas, always lock your vehicles, and do not keep valuables stored in vehicles. If you must store valuables in vehicles, store them in the trunk. (Hays Post)

Police in southwest Kansas make arrests for damage to Christmas decorations

FORD COUNTY—Law enforcement officers are investigating a series of reports of criminal damage in southwest Kansas and have made arrests. On Tuesday, December 3rd, police responded to multiple reports of property damage at various locations around Dodge City, according to a media release. Thanks to information provided by the public, officers identified a black Jeep Wrangler suspected of being involved in the criminal activity. Officers were able to locate the vehicle, and through investigations, arrested four juveniles from Dodge City. The boys have been linked to 25 different cases of criminal damage to Christmas decorations and vehicle windows. Charges will be filed with the Ford County Attorney’s Office for the crime of Criminal Damage. (Hays Post)

Kansas inmate serving time for attempted murder found dead

HUTCHINSON—Hutchinson Correctional Facility (HCF) resident Chancellor Copenhaver, 33, died Wednesday, December 4th, according to a media release from the Kansas Department of Corrections. Copenhaver was found unresponsive in his cell on Wednesday morning. Staff began life-saving measures immediately and continued after emergency medical services arrived, but were unsuccessful. The cause of death is pending the results of an independent autopsy. Copenhaver was serving a 121-month sentence for convictions of attempted second-degree murder, attempted kidnapping, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, aggravated burglary, and stalking in Riley County, Kansas. Per protocol, when a resident dies in the custody of the KDOC, the death is under investigation by the KDOC and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. (Hays Post)

Hays Police officers disarm man with knife

HAYS—Hays Police officers took a man into custody on Friday, December 6th, in Hays after he threatened the officers with a knife. Police were contact by High Plains Mental Health Center staff at about 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 6th. The staff at High Plains said a 20-year-old man was in crisis and he had become physical with his father, Hays Police Chief Don Scheibler said. When the officers arrived on the scene, staff told them the man had a knife, and he said he wanted to “commit suicide by cop,” Scheibler said. When the officers tried to approach the man, he pulled a knife on the officers. Initially, the man would not comply with the officers. The officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, according to Scheibler. The man dropped the knife and ran from the scene. After a brief foot chase, the man was taken into custody. He was arrested on charges of domestic battery, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and interference with a law enforcement officer. The man was referred to a mental health evolution and treatment. The man’s name was not released because of his mental health status. Scheibler praised the officers for their actions to disarm the suspect peacefully. “I am glad it worked out okay, and I am grateful for the officers’ professionalism,” Scheibler said. (Hays Post)

Kansas man lost over $10,000.00 in DEA scam

SALINE COUNTY—Salina Police are investigating after a 57-year-old Salina man fell victim to a phone scam involving a caller falsely claiming to be from the Drug Enforcement Administration. Just after 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th, the victim received a call that said the man’s Social Security number had been linked to a criminal scheme and that a warrant for his arrest had been issued, according to Salina Police Captain James Feldman. To avoid arrest, the caller demanded the victim send $13,000.00. The man complied, withdrawing $11,700.00 from his bank account and transferring it via an unspecified service. He then purchased $2,000.00 worth of gift cards from a Dillons grocery store, and provided the gift card numbers to the scammer. Captain Feldman reminds the public that police or any local, state or federal agency will never request money via gift cards or wire transfers. Anyone receiving such calls should hang up and contact police. (Hays Post).