Arrests made in ATV theft case
Four all-terrain vehicles and other property valued at $20,000 were recovered Friday by the Marion Police Department.
Four people have been arrested. More property may be recovered and additional arrests are possible, said Acting Police Chief Michel Soyez.
The incident began about 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19, when Officer Dean Keyes took a report of the theft of four Polaris ATV four-wheelers from Marion Equipment, Inc.
The ATVs, with a combined value of $19,896, were still in their metal shipping crates when they were taken.
Officers continued to investigate, and Friday arrested Fred Hayes, 34, and David Lee Remmers, 18, at 1360 280th, north of Marion Reservoir, Soyez said.
Officers say they were transporting two of the ATVs. A 2000 Chevrolet pickup and enclosed trailer were seized as evidence, Soyez said.
The other two ATVs and shipping crates were recovered from property at 2405 290th. Truck rims from a theft at Markley Service also were recovered at the residence, officers said.
Saturday, officers recovered additional ATV crating items and more property reported as stolen from a barn in Morris County. Officers say the ATVs had been temporarily stored there before being brought back to Marion County. Todd Beneke, 18, was arrested and a 2001 Dodge pickup was seized as evidence, Soyez reported.
Monday, officers arrested Eduardo Roman, 20, a Puerto Rican native, in connection with the theft cases,
Soyez said the quick resolution of the incident was due to cooperation of both the public and other agencies, including Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Hillsboro Police Department, and the Marion County Sheriff's Department.
He added that the department plans to pursue asset forfeiture proceedings against the owners of the two pickups that are being held as evidence.
Other incidents
Officers responded Monday to a residence in the 400 block of Fourth Street after a gunshot was reported. An adult male was found with a gunshot wound and was transported to St. Luke Hospital, Soyez said. The case is under investigation but it appears it was self-inflicted, he said.
Much of the past week was taken up with the ATV theft and subsequent investigations. Other incidents reported during the past week:
Aug. 19 — Officers checked on a suspicious vehicle and were in court on a DUI case. Officers became involved in a high-speed chase after attempting to stop a reckless driver. A patrol car was rammed and the driver was caught after a short foot chase. Officers also investigated a complaint of dogs running at large.
Aug. 20 — Officers continued investigation of the vehicle chase from the previous day. The vehicle was reported stolen from Wichita. Officers worked an injury accident, received a reckless driving complaint in the Eastmoor Drive area, and interviewed a suspect in a case. Officers also met with a person wanting information on a legal order.
Aug. 21 — Officers issued a letter regarding a junk vehicle and received a complaint of illegal parking at Marion High School. A report of an attempted burglary in the 600 block of East Main was checked out but no crime was occurring; the owner was locked out of his car and was attempted to unlock the vehicle.
Aug. 22 — Three warnings for illegal parking were issued to vehicles at Marion High School. Officers assisted the sheriff's office with a reported vehicle fire on 190th, a half-mile west of Marion. An accident investigation continued. Officers received a report of a runaway juvenile, who was found and turned over to a foster care agency. Officers found an open business door but employees were inside working late.
Aug. 23 — Officers received a complaint of a dog running at large and continued investigation into a number of cases.
Aug. 24 — Officers received a call of an accident in the 400 block of West Santa Fe that possibly involved a DUI. The individual threatened to fight officers, and was arrested with the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff's Department and the Peabody Police Department.
Aug. 25 — Investigations and seizure of evidence continued.
