Suspect in rash of local burglaries makes initial court appearance
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The man suspected of committing 20 local burglaries back in May made a first appearance in Reno County District Court Thursday.
Joseph Paul Jones Jr. was arrested in Wichita for the warrants, but he has been housed in Sedgwick County for charges there. Jones also faces charges in Lyon County for alleged crimes in Emporia. He also has a violation of his parole for crimes in Missouri.
The state alleges that some time overnight on May 13 or May 14, the 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 before 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 the media including Hutch Post.
On May 15, police were apparently able to identify Jones as the suspect. Jones is from the area of Springfield, Mo., and has several prior convictions for burglary and theft there.
His bond is set at $50,000 and he was asked if he had any comments on bond and he stated “no,” but he did indicate he wanted the Reno County case to proceed as quickly as possible. So, Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen set a preliminary hearing date of Oct. 6.
Suspect in aggravated assault case set for sentencing Friday
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 27-year-old Hutchinson man who entered pleas to three assault charges is scheduled to be sentenced Friday.
Lucas Hall was originally charged with three counts of aggravated assault and criminal damage to property, but the state dropped some of the charges as part of a plea agreement.
Hall was convicted of hitting a vehicle multiple times with three people inside, including his ex-girlfriend, as they tried to get away from him. The incident occurred on Oct. 15 of last year and started as the victims traveled southbound on Maple from 5th. It ended near 4th & Main where Hall was arrested on the charges. The victims were apparently trying to reach the law enforcement center to get away from Hall. There was damage to the vehicle the three were in as a result of Hall allegedly striking it.
The sentencing is scheduled in front of Judge Trish Rose.
Hutch man’s sentencing in drug cases set again for Friday
[ By FRED GOUGH ]
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Hutchinson man who entered pleas in two felony drugs cases and a misdemeanor case involving interference with law enforcement is scheduled for sentencing Friday after Judge Tim Chambers decided he wanted more information two weeks ago on whether he could give Shane Kinast a border box finding and grant community corrections.
The state wants a prison sanction while his attorney, Shaun Lautz, wants a border box finding and community corrections.
There is some question as to whether Kinast has an alcohol or drug addiction problem. Judge Chambers says he has to find there is some type of addiction to rule a border box finding. Kinast has apparently passed all of his drug testing over the past year.
It was on July 17, 2013, when the Reno County Drug Unit served a search warrant on a home at 1016 N. Van Buren and Kinast was arrested along with Dwayne Porting and Elisha Bozarth.
Officers allegedly found a bag on the couch of the home on Van Buren that contained a small zip-close bag with a crystal substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Also in the bag were more zip-close bags and a digital scale.
He was also convicted of interference with law enforcement in another case and a case where he was busted for possession of methamphetamine.
The sentencing is scheduled for Friday.