Suspect in flee and elude and arson cases bound over for trial
Lutz
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A Russell man who recently declined an offer from the state in exchange for dropping charges here in Reno County was bound over for trial Tuesday.
Scott Lutz declined to stipulate to violating his community corrections in other cases here in exchange for the state dropping the two most recent cases mainly because he would be required to serve the over 18 years in prison. So they held the preliminary hearing and he was bound over for trial in two cases from October.
In the first one, Lutz is charged with two alternate counts of felony flee and elude and misdemeanor theft. This case goes back to Oct. 8 when he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase which reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour. It was called off after Lutz passed a school bus and nearly struck a 13-year-old girl who had gotten off the bus and was about to cross the street. He apparently went into the ditch near where the girl was exiting the vehicle. That brought concern for public safety, so they called off the chase.
The second case involves the incidents on Oct. 12 when police got word that he was hiding in an attic of a residence located at 415 East B. Officers responded to the home and established verbal contact with him, but he refused to comply, telling them he wouldn’t be coming out. Officer J.P. Rayl testified that while inside the home, they started to smell smoke. Lutz is alleged to have set a small fire in the attic. Officer Rayl says he and other officers crawled on the roof and cut two holes in the roof with a chain saw and attempted to get him to come out. He refused, so they used a fire hose and sprayed water into the attic. Lutz eventually gave up. He says some of the wood fell inside where Lutz was hiding. Lutz apparently threw a piece out and struck the officer in the back, however he wasn’t injured. Once Lutz was in custody, he had to be taken to the hospital after he reportedly cut his wrist.
In this case, he’s charged with aggravated arson, interference with law enforcement and battery of a law enforcement officer.
Bond in all cases totals $180,000 and the defense request to get a bond reduction was denied.
Arraignment on the two cases will be on Jan. 5.
Great Bend man busted for drugs after traffic stop
YODER, Kan. — A Great Bend man was taken to jail on drug charges and an outstanding warrant after a traffic stop in Reno County on Saturday.
Eduardo R. Nunez was arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possessoin of hydrocodone, no tax stamp, driving while suspended, and no proof of insurance. He also has an outstanding warrant out of Barton County.
He was stopped at Arlington and Halstead Road, south of Yoder, by a Reno County Sheriff Deputy for going 84 in a 55 mph zone.
He didn’t make a court appearance on Monday with the jail log showing he’s been released.
Suspect arrested for illegal tattooing formally charged
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — One of two people arrested earlier this month for operating an illegal tattoo parlor and being in possession of marijuana made a court appearance Monday morning.
Thad Gumpenberger was arrested along with Shannan Desmarais on Dec. 8 and he has now been charged by the state with possession of marijuana, operating a tattoo parlor without a license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Authorities served a search warrant on a residence at 1606 E. 6th and found a tattoo machine, ink appointment sheets and 13 grams of marijuana.
Gumpenberger is free on bond and was read the formal complaint with the next court hearing scheduled for Jan. 21.