Latest news with #WaKeeneyPoliceDepartment
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Former Kansas police chief faces charges
WAKEENEY, Kan. (KSNW) — The former police chief of WaKeeney has been charged with three counts and is due in court on June 3. According to a news release, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation investigated Michael Romero, and the Trego County Attorney found probable cause to charge Romero with mistreatment of a confined person and two counts of battery. The mistreatment of a confined person allegedly happened on March 7. The charge reads that Romero 'did unlawfully, and knowingly abuse, neglect, or ill-treat a person … who was detained or confined by' the WaKeeney Police Department. One of the battery counts also allegedly happened on March 7, and the other on Jan. 19. Kansas seizes Dodge City restaurant assets for $37K tax bill The battery charges claim that Romero 'did unlawfully and knowingly or recklessly cause bodily harm to another person … or knowingly cause physical contact with another person … done in a rude, insulting, or angry manner.' Pfannenstiel said he does not typically release suspects' names, but he is doing so this time to be transparent with the community. 'It gives me no pleasure to present charges to the Court in this unfortunate case,' County Attorney Abraham Pfannenstiel said in a news release. 'However, any apparent abuse of power by our public officials is in violation of the oath they take to uphold the rule of law — and nobody, not even our leaders in law enforcement, are above the law.' 'While these crimes will be prosecuted in the courts of Trego County, I pray that we work together to prevent this case from turning into a prosecution of all law enforcement in the court of public opinion,' he continued. 'The men and women that serve our communities across this country are overwhelmingly officers of the highest integrity who take their duty to protect and serve to heart. They deserve our respect and gratitude for the tough role they play in making our communities safe.' The WaKeeney City Council terminated Romero on April 1 but did not give a reason for the decision. The council appointed Trego County Sheriff Ed Pritchard interim chief until Sept. 1. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Trego County arson, racketeering; seven charged
TREGO COUNTY, Kan. (KSNW) — Seven people have been charged after dozens of crimes in northwest Kansas—some of the most serious charges include racketeering, aggravated arson, and stolen guns. Trego County Attorney Abraham Pfannenstiel said the investigation spanned four counties and several months last year. On Nov. 7, the WaKeeney Police Department investigated a vehicle burglary that resulted in a stolen gun. Investigators noticed similarities to other crimes in Trego, Ness, Ellis, and Russell counties. Other crimes included burning a home in Collyer on Aug. 16 and turning homeowners' power off in WaKeeney on Dec. 22. The Trego County Attorney's Office has charged seven people with a combined 42 criminal counts: 5 counts of racketeering 3 counts of aggravated arson 2 counts of vehicle burglary to steal a firearm 5 counts of theft of a firearm 2 counts of interference with a law enforcement officer Unlawful transmission of a visual depiction of a child 10 counts of criminal deprivation of property Unlawful possession of a visual depiction of a child 2 counts of attempted theft 4 counts of possession of marijuana 3 counts of possession of drug paraphernalia 2 counts of a minor in possession of alcohol 2 counts of a minor in possession of tobacco Pfannenstiel said he would not release any identifying information because of the ongoing investigation and the age of 'many' of the suspects. These unlawful acts have put the safety of all citizens at risk for over a year, and these individuals will be prosecuted and brought to justice for these crimes. This is the first step in a long process to ensure that justice is served, and our community remains a safe and prosperous place to live, work, and raise a family.' Abraham Pfannenstiel, Trego County Attorney Boil water order issued for Tipton in Mitchell County He commended the WaKeeney Police Department, Trego County Sheriff's Office and the State Fire Marshall's Office for their work on the Trego County crimes. He wants them to turn all of their information over to law enforcement agencies in Ness, Ellis and Russell counties for similar investigations in those counties. Pfannenstiel also credits the victims for coming forward and reporting the crimes. 'Criminals cannot be brought to justice without a strong partnership between local law enforcement and our citizenry,' he said. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Wisconsin homicides, juvenile arrested Kansas: police
The Brief A juvenile wanted in a Wisconsin homicide investigation was arrested in Kansas. A Wisconsin sheriff's office, according to WaKeeney police, said the juvenile was wanted in connection with the homicides of two people. At this time, law enforcement will not say where in Wisconsin or when the homicides took place. MILWAUKEE - A juvenile wanted in a Wisconsin homicide investigation was arrested in Kansas, according to a police department's Facebook post. What we know The WaKeeney Police Department said officers stopped a vehicle that ran a stop sign. The vehicle came back stolen out of Wisconsin, and Trego County sheriff's deputies responded to the scene. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News A Wisconsin sheriff's office informed Kansas law enforcement that the juvenile driver could be armed with a handgun. The juvenile was taken into custody, and investigators found items in the vehicle "consistent with the information" received from Wisconsin law enforcement. The Wisconsin sheriff's office, according to WaKeeney police, said the juvenile was wanted in connection with the homicides of two people. That homicide investigation remains ongoing. Police said the subject is being held in a juvenile detention center awaiting extradition. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What we don't know The WaKeeney Police Department did not say when the juvenile was taken into custody, which Wisconsin sheriff's office is investigating the homicides or where the homicides took place. FOX6 News reached out to WaKeeney Police Chief Michael Romero for additional information. He would not release any further details, citing the ongoing investigation. The Source Information in this report is from the WaKeeney Police Department.
