HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Two of the three adults suspected of being involved with the kidnapping, robbery and burglaries in the city have been formally charged.
19-year-old Jordan Leffel ( top left) appeared Thursday morning via video from the Reno County Jail for the reading of formal charges against him. That includes a total of eight counts including two level one felonies for aggravated kidnapping, two counts of aggravated robbery and three counts of aggravated burglary. That includes the taking of cash, cars, electronics and firearms.
In court, Leffel requested a reduction of the $100,000 bond and when Magistrate Randy McEwen asked him why it should be reduced, he claimed he’s innocent of the charges. The state represented by Assistant District Attorney Andrew Davidson asked that the bond remain the same because of the nature of the charges and the judge agreed considering the first two counts are level one felonies with a maximum sentence of 50 plus years on each count.
Through his attorney, 20-year-old Frederick Lemens (top right) waived the reading of formal charges against him when he appeared Wednesday. Charges include aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary and two counts of aggravated battery.
Those two along with 17-year-old Brendan Jones and 19-year-old Dakota Anderson are the suspects involved. Anderson has yet to appear for the formal reading of charges while the case against Jones will go through Juvenile Court. He was earlier denied a request to be released and no word on any additional hearings being scheduled.
The four are suspected in the three crimes, including the robbery of Family Affair business located at 1515 E. 4th, and home invasions at 3601 Rockwood Dr. and 3415 N. Waldron. The crimes occurring on April 6, May 4 and May 14.
Police conducted a number of search warrants in association with these crimes and allege they found items from all three robberies leading to the four arrest.