OFFICERS AT WORK Merriam police officers respond to many different types of service calls. The following are examples of memorable incidents handled by Merriam officers in 2020. The incidents on this list were submitted by patrol supervisors. KIDNAPPING-AUTO THEFT Case #2000274 // Jan. 29: A woman stopped
by a job site near 50th Terrace and Merriam Drive to speak with employees inside the business. She left her car running with her infant child inside. Someone stole the car with the child still inside. The woman was able to track her car using a GPS application on her phone. The Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri Police Departments assisted with trying to locate the car and child. The car was found abandoned a short while later with the baby still inside, unharmed. A suspect was taken into custody, and a second suspect was later identified. This case was resolved in court with a lengthy jail sentence. Sgt. Walton, Det. Jasinski, Sgt. Brokaw, PO Vincent
ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE Case #2001138 // May 14: A woman said her
house near 59th Terrace and Mastin St. had been struck with gunfire. Officers determined the shooting came from a neighboring house. Officers arrived to hear screaming in the home. They entered the home, and found a person inside. There were gunshots riddled throughout the house, a broken window, and blood. The subject claimed that one of his roommates fired several shots. Detectives conducted interviews and obtained a search warrant for the home. They later discovered two subjects had a shootout inside the house. Several arrests were made and charges for attempted murder are pending in court. Sgt. Waters, Sgt. Waller, Sgt. Reynolds, MPO Hirsch, MPO Castaneda, PO Daniels, PO Keith, Det. Jasinski, Det. Rock
KIDNAPPING-AUTO THEFT Case #2001822 // July 20: A woman’s vehicle
was stolen in the 9900 block of Johnson Drive with her small children inside. The vehicle had an active GPS device and was found at a nearby
business with the children still inside, unharmed. The suspect had already fled the scene. The crime was captured on a nearby surveillance video. PO Grant Sparks watched the video and immediately recognized the suspect from a previous encounter. The suspect was arrested and pled guilty in court. He's still awaiting sentencing. Sgt. Weiler, MPO Castaneda, PO Sparks, PO Fling.
MEDICAL CALL Case #2001964 // Aug. 1: MPO Jared Ruby
and PO Nick Moeller responded to a lifethreatening medical call at the Home Depot on Antioch Road. A man collapsed inside the store and was unconscious and not breathing. A Kansas City, Kansas, firefighter was performing CPR when Ruby used his department issued defibrillator on the man. The defibrillator administered a shock the patient. Paramedics later downloaded and analyzed the information from the defibrillator and determined it likely brought the man back to life. The man was transported to the hospital and ended up making a full recovery. Ruby received a Life Saving Award for his preparedness and efforts. MPO Ruby
KIDNAPPING-AGGRAVATED ROBBERY Case #2002050 // Aug. 8: A resident in the
5800 block of Woodward St. arrived home in the early morning hours only to be greeted by a subject pointing a gun at them. The victim was taken inside their house while the suspects attempted to steal items from inside. The victim unknowingly interrupted a home burglary. After taking several items, the suspects left. Detectives responded to the scene and ended up developing suspects in this case. This case is still under investigation. PO Bates, Det. Jasinski, Crime Analysist Potts, Sgt. Herron, Sgt. Reynolds
CONTINUED 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | 9
