Local man give two year, six month sentence in aggravated assault case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — After a continuance two weeks ago, a 27-year-old Hutchinson man who entered pleas to three assault charges and criminal damage to property was sentenced to two years and six months in prison.
Lucas Hall entered a plea agreement in the case and Judge Rose denied a defense request for a departure. Attorney Carl Maughan sought the departure, but the state opposed. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell reminded the court of Halls previous criminal history which includes convictions for kidnapping, two counts of aggravated intimidation of a witness and aggravated battery. He called Hall a violent man and says this latest incident occurred less then four months after being released from prison in the 2010 case.
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.
In addition to prison sentence, he will also be required to register as a violent offender.
———-
Man convicted in copper theft case granted corrections
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The second suspect in the burglary of several businesses and individuals involving the theft of copper was sentenced Friday to nearly two years in prison, but then granted two years community corrections. 
30-year-old Anthony Treaster entered pleas for two counts of burglary, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony theft and conspiracy to commit burglary. The case is presumptive probation, but District Attorney Keith Schroeder sought to have a special rule applied which could have meant an upward departure. He told the judge of the businesses that were effected including a funeral home and the Salvation Army. Defense Attorney Jesse Landes argued against it and Judge Trish Rose sided with him and denied the states motion.
Treaster, along with 28-year-old Robin Davis were both charged in the case. She entered pleas involving the of stealing copper valued at $92,000. Judge Joe McCarville granted her Community Corrections for two years on a two year underlying sentence. The state requested a two month sanction and the judge granted that, but then suspended the jail time.
In the criminal complaint, the state says the crimes occurred between February 24, and April 2. Copper was stolen from New Smoke, Reno County Head Start, the Salvation Army, L.R. Boyd & Company, Old Mission Heritage Funeral Home, Eggers Investments and Kelly J. Graber, and the old Betts Bakery.
The judge did order restitution in the case which comes to over $92,000. He’ll also have to pay court cost.
Treaster has prior convictions for possession of drugs and criminal possession of weapons for cases going back to 2011. But, he also has a conviction for theft for stealing nearly 100 bronze vases for Fairlawn Burial Park, something Schroeder also brought to the judges attention.
———-
Suspects in series of local burglaries granted community corrections
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of two people convicted of numerous burglaries and other crimes was granted two years community corrections over the strong objection of the state. Timothy McQueen was given an underlying sentence of just over six years.
He entered pleas to the charges against him in exchange for the state agreeing to not to file additional charges against him as well as a co-defendant, 21-year-old Kelsey Hamby.
The two had been charged with four counts of burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and making false writing. They allege that the two broke into storage units at three different locations around the city. Most of these alleged crimes occurred around June 12 or 13, while one was between May 19 and June 18. The state also charged them with conspiracy for break in of a storage unit in McPherson, then bringing the stolen property to Reno County. This occurred on June 9, according to the criminal complaint. They’re also alleged to have falsified a pawn ticket on that same date. Hamby was also charged with additional counts of criminal use of a financial card.
McQueen had been granted probation for earlier convictions of aggravated burglary from October of 2012, when he broke into a building on west 5th. In another case, he was convicted of possession of methamphetamine for a case that goes back to November of 2012.
Hamby is still awaiting sentencing.
———-
Hutch man accused of burglary and theft makes court appearance
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 20-year-old Hutchinson man made a first appearance on four different arrest reports for burglary of dwellings. 
Devin Thomas is accused of burglary of dwellings with the first one occurring of September 10 at a home in Nickerson, the other three on the same date at a homes in the Hutchinson area including two in the same neighborhood.
In one case, he’s accused of breaking in and stealing prescription drugs, another he allegedly stole a 32 inch flat-screen television, the third, a 9 mm handgun, a camera, an x-box, and a computer and related items.
The last home, he is accused of taking an I-Pad and it was apparently locked and he took it to a man to see if he could unlock it. The man looked at the serial number and realized it had been stolen from his daughter. He told Thomas that he was calling the law and Thomas took off before sheriff officers arrived.
In court, his bond was left where it was at $32,000, however he must have an additional hold because his bonds total $39,000. He’ll be back in court next week once the state files formal charges.
———-
Wichita man gets corrections in Reno County case
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 22-year-old Wichita man who had been listed as an absconder from his community corrections for nearly a year and then arrested on additional charges here in Reno County after he allegedly ran from law enforcement trying to serve warrants for his arrest was sentenced to four years and two months in prison, but then granted two years community corrections.
He entered pleas to felony flee and elude, driving while suspended, reckless driving, and interference with law enforcement in one case and two counts of failing to register as a drug offender in another and the state wanted prison time saying he put others in danger when he fled law enforcement with a high speed chase. The defense asked for corrections saying that he was given three months in prison in his other case and now has a shot of making it without any more problems.
Apparently he was spotted back on June 4, inside a store at 30th & Lorraine. When a deputy arrived, he was in a vehicle with a female passenger. The deputy positioned his vehicle in front of the one Burgess was driving, but he placed his vehicle in reverse and accelerated between two vehicles striking one with the rear passenger side of his vehicle. He then allegedly took off through the parking lot and north on Elm with speeds reaching 70 mph. He then went west on 36th and then north again on Maple. As other vehicles tried to turn left, officials say he then went through a private lawn, got back on the road and turned west, but came to a dead end. He then apparently stopped his vehicle, got out and walked toward the deputy and gave himself up. He was then taken into custody.
Burgess is still on corrections for possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with law enforcement and no tax stamp. Judge Joe McCarville decided to take a chance on giving him corrections based on the fact that he will be working for his father in Wichita and will be away from those who he did drugs with here in Reno County.