HUTCHINSON, Kan. – At around 11:40 a.m.Thursday, Reno County Sheriff Deputies were called out to the area of 5000 West Nickerson Blvd. northwest of Hutchinson for the report of an aggravated assault.
When deputies arrived, they found a wrecked Ford Ranger pick-up with Westar Energy signage on the sides. As they investigated, they discovered that a sub-contracted employee of Westar Energy was in the area replacing electrical meters on the houses in the area. This is a project that has been going on for quite some time.
As the employee changed out the meter at this particular house, the resident, 62-year-old Kerry Getz became outraged that the meter had been changed. A verbal assault of the employee had occurred.
As he tried to explain the reasons for doing this, Getz became more outraged.
The employee who was distinctly marked as a Westar employee fled the residence in his truck for safety. As the employee was calling his supervisor, Getz allegedly followed him in his own vehicle and blocked in the Westar employee. Another confrontation occurred and Getz allegedly damaged the Westar vehicle and attempted to take property from the truck. In one of the verbal exchanges, he made the comment to the Westar employee that had a weapon and may have to use it.
At some point, Getz attempted to use his vehicle in an effort to run over the Westar employee, however the employee was able to escape with no injuries. Eventually, the Westar employee attempted to flee again in his truck and the resident chased him down in his vehicle and forced him off of the road by ramming into him. As the Westar truck wrecked, the resident drove away back to his residence.
After hearing the account of what had happened, deputies made contact with Getz at his home. After several interviews with witnesses in the area and others Getz, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and criminal damage to property.
Getz has already been released from the Reno County Correctional Facility on a $15,250 bond and should make a first appearance next week.
No apparent injuries occurred in this situation.