Latest news with #SterlingPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sterling police: Don't take from thrift shop drop-off
STERLING, Kan. (KSNW) — The Sterling Police Department is urging residents to respect donation policies after a string of thefts at the Sterling Thrift Store's drop-off shed. According to police, multiple people have been caught removing items from the donation shed behind the store in recent weeks. Officers say the activity has persisted despite efforts by thrift store staff to address the problem with 'patience and understanding.' 'They've asked us to step in and clarify that this is not acceptable behavior,' police said in a social post. Scam call exposed at Decatur County Sheriff's Office Authorities emphasized that once items are placed inside the shed, they legally become the property of the Sterling Thrift Store—even if the person removing them was the original donor. Taking anything from the donation area without permission is considered theft. The store, which operates as a non-profit, uses the donated goods to support community members in need. Police say unauthorized removal of donations undermines that mission and takes away resources from those the store is trying to help. The donation shed is now under video surveillance. Anyone caught taking items without permission may face legal consequences, including criminal trespass under K.S.A. 21-5808 and potential theft charges under K.S.A. 21-5801. Community members who witness suspicious activity around the donation area are urged to contact the Sterling Police Department at 620-278-2100 before notifying store staff. 'We know Sterling is a close-knit community,' police said in the social post. 'Let's work together to make sure our donation process remains honest, helpful, and fair to everyone.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Judge: Sterling teen accused in July 2024 double shooting to be transferred to Whiteside County Jail
Apr. 3—MORRISON — A Sterling teenager charged with two counts of attempted murder will be transferred next month from the juvenile detention center where he currently is being held to the Whiteside County Jail. Michael W.T. Bennett Jr. will be moved from the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center in St. Charles to the Whiteside County Jail in Morrison on May 17, the day he turns 18. He will continue to remain detained based on a ruling Thursday, April 3, by Whiteside County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Rangel-Kelly. Rangel-Kelly made that decision after Whiteside County Public Defender Dana McCormick requested Bennett be released on authorized home detention. Rangel-Kelly also denied his release during a hearing last week. Bennett's jury trial is tentatively set for June 17, with a pretrial conference scheduled for May 28. Bennett was charged in September in adult court with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm and one count each of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm in a July shooting that injured two teens, according to Whiteside County court documents. One count of use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense was added to the list of charges in December. Bennett has pleaded not guilty to the charges. [ ] The shooting happened about 6 p.m. July 23 in the area of 13th Avenue and East Fifth Street in Sterling. A 17-year-old boy was shot in the head, and a 14-year-old boy was struck in the leg, according to court documents. Officers said the two injured teens were passengers in a vehicle that was fired upon, resulting in the vehicle colliding with a utility pole. The occupants of the two vehicles — the one from where police said the gun was fired and the other carrying the injured boys — are acquaintances, according to a Sterling Police Department news release issued shortly after the shooting. Sterling police announced Sept. 11 that a juvenile taken into custody Sept. 9 had been charged with one count each of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. The additional charges naming Bennett were filed Sept. 26. Charging documents indicate all of the charges could be tried in adult court because of the two charges that allege Bennett committed a battery with a firearm by shooting one victim in the head and the other in the leg. He is accused of gaining possession of the firearm — a Ruger 5.7 — the previous day, and knew that it was a stolen gun, according to court documents. The one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm accuses him of shooting the Ruger within 1,000 feet of Lincoln Elementary School at 1501 E. Sixth St. The attempted murder and aggravated battery charges are class X felonies that upon conviction carry possible enhanced prison sentences of 25 years to life; 85% of the sentence would have to be served.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Yahoo
Judge: Sterling teen 'clearly is a danger to the community wherever he may be', will remain detained
Mar. 27—MORRISON — A Sterling 17-year-old charged with two counts of attempted murder will remain detained as his case proceeds toward trial. Michael W.T. Bennett Jr., who will turn 18 in May, was charged in September in adult court with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, and one count each of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm in a July shooting that injured two teens, according to Whiteside County court documents. One count of use of a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense was added to the list of charges in December. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. [ ] During a pretrial conference Wednesday, March 26, Whiteside County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Rangel-Kelly scheduled Bennett's next pretrial conference for April 3. A hearing also will be held at that time about when he should be transferred from the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center in St. Charles to the Whiteside County Jail in Morrison as his 18th birthday approaches. He will turn 18 on May 17. Whiteside County Public Defender Dana McCormick, who represents Bennett, also argued Wednesday for Bennett to be released from jail under pretrial release conditions that would allow him to stay at his grandmother's home. She said Bennett had had one infraction while staying in the Kane County Juvenile Justice Center, but that had happened early in his stay there. She said that should be taken into consideration when weighing Bennett's request for pretrial release. Whiteside County Assistant State's Attorney Ryan Simon objected to her request, referring to a report indicating Bennett had continued to commit infractions that included refusing to go to his room after he had been directed there and for verbal altercations. Rangel-Kelly agreed with Simon, deciding that Bennett should be remain detained. "He clearly is a danger to the community wherever he may be," Rangel-Kelly said. Case details The shooting happened shortly before 6 p.m. July 23 in the area of 13th Avenue and East Fifth Street in Sterling. A 17-year-old boy was shot in the head, and a 14-year-old boy was struck in the leg, according to court documents. Officers said the two injured teens were passengers in a vehicle that was fired upon, resulting in the vehicle colliding with a utility pole. The occupants of the two vehicles — the one from where police said the gun was fired and the other carrying the injured boys — are acquaintances, according to a Sterling Police Department news release issued shortly after the shooting. Sterling police announced Sept. 11 that a juvenile taken into custody Sept. 9, had been charged with one count each of attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm. The additional charges, naming Bennett, were filed Thursday, Sept. 26. Charging documents indicate that all of the charges could be tried in adult court because of the two charges that allege Bennett committed a battery with a firearm by shooting one victim in the head and the other in the leg. He is accused of gaining possession of the firearm — a Ruger 5.7 — the previous day, and knew that it was a stolen gun, according to court documents. The one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm accuses him of shooting the Ruger within 1,000 feet of Lincoln Elementary School at 1501 E. Sixth St. A charge of using a stolen firearm in the commission of an offense was added Dec. 10 to the list of charges. The attempted murder and aggravated battery charges are Class X felonies that upon conviction carry possible enhanced prison sentences of 25 years to life in prison; 85% of the sentence would have to be served. A trial date has tentatively been set for May 20, according to court records.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested in connection with Sterling home invasion in December
A man wanted in Sterling in connection with a home invasion in December 2024 has been arrested. A news release from the Sterling Police Department says officers arrested Baylee J Gipson, 25, of Rock Falls on February 25 at about 9:20 a.m. Gipson was found walking in the area of W. Ninth Street and Ash Avenue in Sterling. Gipson had a valid Whiteside County warrant and ran from officers. Officers detained Gipson on the Whiteside County warrant after a short foot pursuit. Gipson was searched and during the search, a loaded firearm was found in his possession, along with about 266 grams (about a half pound) of cannabis and several other controlled substances. Gipson has been charged with: Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, Possession of a firearm without a FOID Card, Possession of ammunition without a FOID card, Unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, Unlawful possession of cannabis, Unlawful possession of a controlled substance, Armed violence, and Whiteside County warrant for home invasion from a December 2024 incident in Sterling. Gipson is being held at the Whiteside County Jail pending an initial hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Snow emergency in place in Rock Falls, Sterling for Feb. 12 expected snow
Feb. 12—Sterling and Rock Falls declared snow emergencies as a result of the snow storm predicted for Wednesday, Feb. 12. Rock Falls Rock Falls has issued a snow emergency effective at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, through 8 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13. Pursuant to Rock Falls City Code, Section 18-158, no parking is permitted on any designated snow route within the city limits during the declared snow emergency period or until the snow has been completely cleared from the street. Odd/even parking restrictions apply on all other streets that are not a designated snow route. Odd/even parking restrictions end, block by block, once the snow has been removed from the entire width of the street. Any vehicle parked in violation of Rock Falls City Code Section 18-158 are subject to fines as prescribed in Section 1-41(e)(1) of the Rock Falls City Code. Sterling Sterling's snow emergency goes into effect at 6 a.m. Wednesday. After 6 a.m., all vehicles must be parked in accordance with Sterling's snow emergency parking regulations. * No parking on snow routes until all snow has been removed from the full width of the street. * No parking in the Central Business District from 1:30-5:30 a.m. * Odd and even parking restrictions will be in effect on all other city streets. On the odd days of the month, you park on the odd-numbered side of the street, and on even days of the month, you park on the even-numbered side of the street. Odd and even days will be considered as beginning between 6 and 8 a.m. You will not be ticketed between 6 and 8 a.m. Odd and even numbered sides of the street refer to the usual residence and building address numbers. These parking restrictions will terminate block by block after the snowfall stops and when all accumulated snow has been removed from the full width of the street or when the snow emergency is canceled by the city. All other parking restrictions remain in effect. No parking will be permitted on streets where parking is restricted or prohibited. Cars parked in violation of the above restrictions will be ticketed and may be towed, at the owner's expense. If you have any questions regarding these parking restrictions, call the Sterling Police Department at 815-632-6640 or the Public Works Department at 815-632-6657.
