Six unlocked vehicles burglarized in western Shawnee

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Posted: January 22, 2019 - 10:12 a.m.

Shawnee police say six unlocked vehicles were burglarized early Monday morning in a western Shawnee neighborhood.

Major Sam Larson of the Shawnee Police Department says officers were called around 1:30 a.m. to a home in the 5500 block of Lakeridge Drive, in the Symphony at Monticello neighborhood, on a report of a possible auto burglary. The neighborhood is located near the intersection of Johnson Drive and Monticello Road.

"A citizen called reporting suspicious activity and thought someone was trying to break into a vehicle at their home," Maj. Larson said.

Officers searched the area with a K-9 but were unable to locate the suspect.

A resident of the neighborhood called the police again around 3:30 a.m. after seeing the suspect walking in the area. A responding officer spotted the suspect near 56th Street and Millridge Street.

"The male suspect, an 18-year-old Kansas City, Kansas resident, fled from officers on foot," Maj. Larson said. "He was taken into custody a short time later."

Johnson County Sheriff's Office booking logs show the suspect was arrested at 3:54 a.m. and then booked into the Adult Detention Center in Olathe at 7:55 a.m.

Maj. Larson say officers have already taken six case numbers which are believed to be associated with this suspect.

Police say all six of the vehicles burglarized were left unlocked.

"The vast majority of the auto burglaries we investigate are to unlocked vehicles, help to greatly reduce your chance of being a theft victim by locking your cars," Maj. Larson said. "We ask that all residents take the time to remove valuables from vehicles and to ensure that their vehicles are locked."

Maj. Larson adds that it's always a good idea to double check that your garage door is closed and car doors are locked before going to bed.

Police are asking anyone who believes their vehicle may have been burglarized or entered over the weekend to call them, 913-631-2150, to report the crime.

The suspect remains in the custody of the Johnson County Sheriff's Office and is awaiting formal charges. Operation 100 News will update this report to identify the alleged suspect once he is charged on Tuesday afternoon.

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PHOTOS: Early-morning fire causes $250,000 damage

Posted: April 12, 2014 - 1:01am
Updated: April 12, 2014 - 2:26pm

Photo courtesy: Britt Nelson
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Additional photos below report

Firefighters from three area departments worked to extinguish a house fire early Saturday.

Emergency crews were called to the home in the 5500 block of Roundtree Street around 12:50 a.m.

Police were first on the scene and reported heavy fire from the garage of the home.

The residents of the home, two adults and a child, were able to escape the burning home uninjured.

Fire crews knocked down most of the fire from the outside, before making their way inside to check for and extinguish additional fire.

The fire was reported under control around 1:10 a.m. and out at 1:40 a.m..

Shawnee fire marshal Corey Sands says the resident had recently stained the home's deck and placed the oil soaked rags in the trash can in the garage. The fire was caused by spontaneous combustion of those oily rags.

Firefighters from the Lenexa Fire Department and Olathe Fire Department assisted on the initial call.

Firefighters returned to extinguish hot spots around 9 a.m..
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Operation 100 News- Mike Frizzell

Shawnee firefighters returned to the home around 9 a.m. to extinguish a few hot spots which had flared up in the garage. Those flames were spotted by a construction crew that was working to board up the home's damaged windows.

Damage is estimated at $250,000.

Photo courtesy: Britt Nelson
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Photo courtesy: Britt Nelson
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Operation 100 News - Mike Frizzell
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Daylight shows the extent of the damage to the back of the home.
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Operation 100 News- Mike Frizzell

Daylight shows the extent of the damage to the back of the home.
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Operation 100 News- Mike Frizzell

Stay with Operation 100 News on this blog and on Twitter for the latest details as they become available. Remember where you heard this news first, Operation 100 News, reporting the news to the public as it breaks.

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