Kids’ cars targeted; suspect freed
Staff writer
A man reportedly going through a parking lot at Centre High School and trying to enter cars was arrested Monday afternoon, booked into jail, then released.
School security video showed Calvin J. Hinz, 41, Lincolnville, going from car to car in the parking lot looking inside the cars, Undersheriff Larry Starkey said.
Video showed him trying to open doors but was not clear enough to see whether he successfully got doors open. Hinz’s distance was too far from security cameras, and the doors he tried were on opposite sides of the cars, Starkey said.
Deputy Aaron Christner located Hinz a couple of miles south of Centre on US-77 and arrested him.
He was booked into jail at 2:19 p.m. Monday, but released 1½ hours later on the order of County Attorney Joel Ensey because it was not known whether Hinz actually got into the cars or merely attempted to do so.
A report was sent to the Ensey proposing charging Hinz, Starkey said.
Hinz has a long list of prior charges in several counties.
He was charged Oct. 1 in Lyon County with possession of narcotics, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. The case is pending.
He pleaded guilty Aug. 20 in Barton County to forgery.
He pleaded guilty Oct. 6, 2021, in Dickinson County to theft. Charges of criminal possession of a weapon by a felon and interference with law enforcement were dismissed.
He was charged Jan. 21, 2021, in Marion County with two counts of theft. Those charges were dismissed Oct. 13, 2021.
He was convicted March 28, 2017, in Saline County of theft of a vehicle, driving while his license was suspended, and driving while a habitual violator.
He pleaded guilty Dec. 4, 2014, in Barton County to two counts of possession of narcotics. Charges of possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of criminal trespass were dismissed.
He pleaded guilty the same day in Barton County to burglary of a vehicle and theft.