SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. – One of two men suspected in home invasion case where a gunshot was fired made a first appearance in court Friday, while a secons suspect was apprehended this afternoon.
Thirty-two-year-old Charles James Lee Swepston ( top left) of Hutchinson was jailed on suspicion of aggravated burglary, aggravated robbery and battery charges.
The case starts just after 7 a.m. Friday morning when a South Hutchinson Police officer was dispatched to the 100 block of West 6th in reference to a shots fired call. The officer made contact with two men who allege that Swepston and another man, 29-year-old Jesse Aich (top right) were at their door. One of the victims told the officer that he barely opened the door and the two forced their way inside.
Once inside, they were demanding money or anything of value. Aich allegedly got into a scuffle with one of the victims in a back bedroom. The other victim says he then got into a short fight with Swepston. Eventually, they all ended back in the front room of the home.
Aich then left, but came back and pulled a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at one of the victims from about 3-4 feet away and shot the gun. The victim told the officer that he heard the bullet go by his head. He apparently then pointed the gun at the other man after that man told him to calm down. The alleged victim says he then put his legs up and put out his arms. The victim then alleges that he fired the gun a second time into a wall.
Both Aich and Swepston then fled the scene in a small green pickup. The officer was able to locate Swepston and under Miranda allegedly admitted to going to the home with Aich. He was arrested and is jailed on a bond of $37,500.
Aich has another case where he’s charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to package, possession of three other drugs (hydrocodone, oxycodone and morphine), as well as a final count of personal use drug paraphernalia. He was supposed to appear in court Friday morning for this case, but failed to appear. He now has a bench warrant issued with a $10,000 bond. That case goes back to Oct. 28.
South Hutchinson Police Chief Scott Jones says they arrested Aich Friday afternoon at the Kwik Shop at 5th & Monroe in Hutchinson. The arrest is in connection with the incident early Friday morning. He was arrested without incident and will be jailed on the warrant as well as any new charges.