by PJ Rooks
Landmark reporter
Chad King, 21, of Smithville, and Timothy Crow, 24, of Kansas City, were arrested Monday night after a series of thefts from cars and garages left unlocked in the Riss Lake and Monticello areas, according to Kevin Chrisman, Parkville police chief.
A witness was able to describe the suspects and their vehicle after a woman's purse was stolen from her car between 9 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Not long after the report, police officers Adam Welsh and Tim Heiman found a car and two men matching the description at the Phillips 66 at Highways 9 and 45. The suspects took off in the car, heading north on Highway 9, but eventually turned onto High Ridge Drive and bailed out, leading the officers on a brief foot chase before being captured and taken into custody.
"It was good police work," said Chrisman, "it truly was.”
A search of the car revealed purses, a violin and other items that had been stolen from at least four different locations and owners. The suspects had also used stolen debit cards and credit cards to purchase beer and several cartons of cigarettes.
"We haven't tallied the inventory yet on price but it was quite extensive," said Chrisman. "Some people may not have noticed yet that they have something missing."
Chrisman said that he has a mass e-mail in the works to notify residents in those areas to check their belongings and make sure that they haven't been victims of the robberies too.
The chief said that his was a two-fold message, "one of praise to my Parkville officers and the work they did" and also a reminder to citizens to keep cars locked, even in the driveway, and garage doors closed.
"These were crimes of opportunity," said Chrisman. "There was nothing forced. Everything was just pretty much handed to them, if you will."
Chrisman said King and Crow remain in police custody and have been charged with stealing and first degree burglary, the most serious classification for the crime, because they entered occupied residences.
In other police business, aldermen approved Chrisman's request for permission to apply for a grant for the Missouri Safe Routes to School program. The total grant request is for $11,659, money which would be used to support increased traffic control for Graden school and for bicycle and pedestrian safety training for the children. If approved, the grant money would also purchase a speed trailer (the current one is leased) to be used at various locations around the city.
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