Kansas City Crime Scene: Car Ripoffs Spike As Locals Fear Springtime Murder Spree And Continued Protest Against Police

It's tragic and sad but also a Kansas City tradition that deadly local violence increases as the weather warms up. 

This winter we've seen an arctic chill that barely managed to cool local tempers and right now the homicide count mostly matches last year's historic total.

Accordingly, we share this local crime roundup with more info on car crime threats, court cases and vital work betwixt community & police . . .

Kansas City Car Crime Surges

Thefts Of Catalytic Converters Up Four-Fold in Kansas City In The Last Year

Catalytic converter thefts in Kansas City have increased more than four-fold since 2019 and the problem is getting worse. "We have seen a dramatic increase from 2019 to 2020 and we are on track to see an even bigger increase in 2021," said Dawn Jones, a detective with the Kansas City Police Department.

Church Vandals Busted

CAUGHT IN THE ACT: Police conduct surveillance at KC church that was target of vandalism, make arrest

KANSAS CITY, MO -- Wednesday night, Kansas City police conducted surveillance from inside a church that has repeatedly been the target of vandalism for months. Church members are hopeful the destruction and their worries have finally come to an end thanks to an arrest.

Mandatory Hard Time Ordered For Kansas City Meth Man

KC man heading to federal prison after guilty plea for pound of meth found after police chase

A Kansas City, Missouri man punched an automatic ticket for a minimum of 15 years in federal prison with a guilty plea related to a 2020 police chase and crash. Authorities said Michael Allen Dicks Jr., 31, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of possessing methamphetamine to distribute, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime.

Tragic Local Case Cont’d

Man charged in Blue Springs child abuse case makes court appearance

KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A Blue Springs man charged with first-degree felony endangering the welfare of a child and felony second-degree abuse made an appearance in court on Thursday. Bryan Snow was charged after police found his girlfriend stuck in a bathtub sitting in inches of human waste.

Families Cope With Kansas City Opioid Crisis Worsening

Mourning moms join KC police in warning families of fentanyl-laced pain pills

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in the Kansas City metro say it's a teenage trend that needs to end. The Kansas City Police Department warned parents Thursday it's seeing higher numbers of young people overdosing on prescription pain medicine laced with fentanyl. The department said the pills are made to look like Percoset or oxycodone [...]

Kansas G-Man Steps Down

U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister steps down

TOPEKA - As requested by the Biden Administration of all presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorneys, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, Stephen R. McAllister, is resigning his position, effective Feb. 28. McAllister sent his resignation letter to the President earlier this week, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the United States and Kansas in the U.S.

Wife Shares Life Lessons

Woman works to help other first responders after husband's death

A Kansas City woman is using her personal tragedy to make things better for first responders and front-line workers."For 30 years, he left the house every day with a badge and a gun," said Kim Colegrove.Colegrove's husband, David, retired after decades in law enforcement.

Justice For Vernece

Charges filed in case of KC woman who disappeared in 2018

CASS COUNTY, Mo. - Charges have been filed in the case of a Kansas City woman who vanished in 2018. Kenneth B. Wilson Jr., 32, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Vernece Brown, 18. Brown was last seen on Valentine's Day 2018.

Cold Case Update

KC family searches for justice following loved one's death

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City, Missouri, family still is searching for answers after their loved one was shot and killed while at home with his grandchildren. "Still to this day, I ask God why did it happen to him," Rhonda Garcia said of her husband, Paul Garcia, who died last summer.

New Player Confronts STL Protest Hot Mess

Special prosecutor picked for case against St. Louis couple

A former U.S. attorney and circuit judge was appointed Wednesday as special prosecutor in the case against a St. Louis couple who waved guns at racial injustice protesters last summer.Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer chose Richard Callahan to prosecute Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who have pleaded not guilty to unlawful use of a weapon and evidence tampering.

Johnson County Copes With More Mental Distress

Mental health training helps Overland Park officer save woman's life

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A dramatic rescue from Tuesday afternoon saw a police officer save a woman's life. Mental health professionals in Johnson County point to it as evidence that law enforcement officers need specialized crisis intervention training. Overland Park Police Officer Brett Ussary is trained to handle calls that involve people who intend to harm themselves.

Kansas City Contemplates Policy For Confrontation

KC-area pastors, police come together to discuss use of force

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Some faith-based leaders in the Kansas City metro recently received firsthand experience in the world of policing and the use of force. Ahead of a seminar for law enforcement and nearly 40 religious leaders hosted by the Lenexa Police Department in early February, two pastors participated in simulated training exercises that were shown and discussed at the event.

Developing . . .