Kansas City Crime Scene: Springtime For Rising Local Violence

There's a lot to catch up on in this post and so we won't stand in this way of this collection of info on recent police action, court cases, traffic trouble and ALLEGATIONS of wrongdoing.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Pedestrian has life-threatening injuries following hit-and-run crash in Kansas City

A pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries after being struck by a vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene, which was at Maplewoods Parkway and North Walrond. Police responded to the scene shortly after 3:15 p.m. on Thursday. In information about the victim was available and it's unknown what direction it went in.

Man pleads guilty in shooting at Overland Park home used as vacation rental

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - A Topeka, Kansas man has pleaded guilty in a deadly shooting last year at an Overland Park home that was being used as a short-term rental. Johnson County Court records show Anthony Duane Smith entered a guilty plea this week to an involuntary manslaughter charge.

2 suspects, nicknamed 'bullet' and 'J. Lo' indicted in fentanyl conspiracy

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Two Kansas City, Kansas, residents are facing a federal grand jury indictment for their alleged role in a fentanyl conspiracy. The United States Attorney's Office in the District of Missouri announced charges Thursday against Alonso Alfredo Nunez, who also goes by the name "bullet," and Jaloany Garcia-Medina, who also goes by the name "J.Lo."

KC woman was on phone with teen son when he was shot, killed: court records

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Court documents say a Kansas City woman was on the phone with her 17-year-old son when gunshots rang out, killing the teen. FOX4 obtained a search warrant application filed by Kansas City police, which said when officers got to the home, they found the 17-year-old in the kitchen shot, more than once.

2 motorcyclists killed in Independence after being hit by stolen vehicle fleeing from officers

SOURCE: KMBC Two motorcyclists were killed late Wednesday night after their bike was struck by a stolen vehicle fleeing from Independence police. Independence police spotted a stolen Jeep near E. 29th Street and Sante Fe Road. The driver fled police when he saw police officers in the area.

Owner of 2 Kansas City-area Mexican restaurants sued for labor law violations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The owner of 2 area Mexican restaurants is being sued by the U.S. Department of Labor for alleged violations of the federal minimum wage, overtime pay and record keeping requirements. Alfonzo Herrera Hernandez owns the El Toro Locco Legends restaurant in KCK and the El Toro Loco Lenexa restaurant.

Johnson County man sentenced to life in prison for sex crimes against a child

Johnson County Sheriff's Office SOURCE: Johnson County Sheriff's Office A Johnson County man will spend the rest of his life in prison. Landan Lemons on Thursday was sentenced to six life sentences for various criminal acts against a child under the age of 14.

Lawrence police look for man after person is hit in head with bat

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Lawrence, Kansas, police are looking for a man who may have hit another in the head with a baseball bat. The LPD is asking for the public's help locating Anthony James Richards, who is currently considered a person of interest. The aggravated battery happened around noon on Thursday.

Man pleads guilty to threatening Leavenworth police officer with sword

Leavenworth Sheriff's Office SOURCE: Leavenworth Sheriff's Office A 56-year-old Leavenworth man has pleaded guilty to using a sword to threaten a police officer in the city. Lonnie Bailey Jr. was originally arrested in December 2022 in the area of West 7th Street and Chestnut. Bailey Jr.

Johnson County, Kansas, sheriff testifies against election reform bill

TOPEKA, Kan. - On Monday, Kansas senators in the Senate's Federal and State Affairs Committee took testimony on legislation that would change the state's election laws. The bill is a priority for Republican Secretary of State Scott Schwab. His office said the bill will strengthen the state's election laws.

Kansas City, Kan., man sentenced for 195 months for trafficking meth

A Kansas City, Kan., man has been sentenced to 195 months in prison for drug trafficking. Russell Loomis, 50, was sentenced Thursday after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.

Two bystanders killed during Independence police chase. It's happened nearby before

A Jeep Cherokee that struck and killed two people riding a motorcycle was being chased by Independence police who suspected the SUV to be stolen, a police spokesman said Thursday afternoon. The driver of the motorcycle died in the crash that happened at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday at Scott Avenue and Winner Road in Independence.

Missouri lawmakers double down on state control of police. A move is underway to return it to St. Louis

In a vote watched closely in Kansas City, Missourians approved a statewide ballot measure in 2012 to return control of the St. Louis Police Department to the city itself.

Police across Kansas City metro investigating burglaries at multiple Ulta Beauty stores

A rash of shoplifting and burglaries at the same retail chain in several different metro locations has law enforcement looking for suspects.According to Belton Police Sergeant Mary Bruegge, there have been 30 different shoplifting incidents at the Ulta Beauty store's Belton location in the last year.Pictures of three women suspects

Kansas bill to legalize fentanyl test strips gutted

TOPEKA, Kan. - The effort to legalize a tool that can detect fentanyl in other drugs in Kansas may be in trouble. Right now, fentanyl test strips are illegal because they're considered drug paraphernalia. On Monday, a Kansas Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee gutted a bill that would have decriminalized fentanyl test strips.

Kansas City police attend MADD educational summit

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Mothers Against Drunk Driving brings its "You drink. You drive. You lose." message to the metro. MADD worked with the National Transportation Safety Administration and the Kansas City Police Academy to organize a day-long summit.

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