Contractor accused of defrauding customers in Kansas and nine other states

KANSAS CITY, KANSAS—According to the United States attorney, a federal grand jury in Kansas returned an indictment charging a Nebraska contractor for allegedly defrauding customers across multiple states by failing to construct buildings after being paid. According to court documents, Bobby Bates, Sr., 42, of Grand Island, Nebraska, is charged with two counts of wire fraud. As the owner of Built Rite Construction, Bates is accused of accepting deposits for construction projects and not starting or completing the work. Between February 2023 and October 2023, he allegedly defrauded customers in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma, Nebraska, South Dakota, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, resulting in total losses of more than $700,000.00. The U. S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are investigating the case. (Hays Post)

Kansas man held on $500,000.00 bond for vandalism at Catholic church

SEDGWICK COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating vandalism at a church in Wichita arrested a 23-year-old Saline County man identified as Michael Angel Gonzalez, according to Sedgwick County booking records. Just after 8:30 on Saturday, March 15th, police responded to a reported burglary at St. Patrick Catholic Church in the 2000 block of North Arkansas Street in Wichita, according to Wichita Police spokesman Brad Wright. Officers discovered significant vandalism, including hate speech and damage to items such as statues, candles, and glass. Notably, a United States flag had been burned. Recognizing the severity of this crime, Wichita Police and investigators—alongside federal law enforcement partners including the FBI and ATF—immediately launched a full-scale investigation. The Wichita Police Dedicated Crime Scene Investigation team worked diligently to analyze evidence, leading to the swift identification of a suspect. Officers from the Wichita Police Field Community Response Teams were provided with critical intelligence and began the search for the suspect. At approximately 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, officers located and arrested Gonzalez in the 2800 block of North Hillside in Wichita without incident. Gonzalez is being held in the Sedgwick County Jail on a bond of over $500,000.00 on requested charges of Burglary, Criminal Desecration, and Criminal Damage to Property. The case will be presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney and federal prosecutors for formal charging considerations. (Hays Post)

Infant critically injured after dog attack at Kansas home

JOHNSON COUNTY—Just after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 13th, the Prairie Village Police Department was notified by Children’s Mercy Hospital that an infant was in critical condition as a result of a dog bite, according to a statement from Prairie Village Police. The responding officers and the Investigations Unit determined the incident occurred earlier in the evening in the 4900 block of West 72nd Terrace in Prairie Village. At the same time, the infant was being cared for by a non-parent caregiver. The dog, a pit bull, was seized and impounded and, at the owner’s request, was euthanized. All parties are cooperating with the investigation. The infant remains hospitalized and in critical condition. (Hays Post)

Northwest Kansas man hospitalized after ATV accident

DECATUR COUNTY—The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a Polaris Sportsman ATV driven by Brad K. Larson, 64, was eastbound in the 400 Block of L. Lane five miles south of U. S. 36. The driver lost control of the vehicle when his toolbox dislodged and struck him. The ATV entered the south ditch, rolled, and came to rest on its right side. EMS transported Larson to Decatur Health for treatment of serious injuries. He was not wearing a helmet, according to the KHP. (Hays Post)