Sheriff says Friday arrests, home invasions likely unrelated
Authorities dispel rumors about recent reported armed break-ins
By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer
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An early morning chase Friday near Rantoul led to two arrests, but those individuals are not thought to be involved in reported home invasions in Anderson County, law enforcement officials said.
“We have no reason to believe they’re connected,” Franklin County Sheriff Craig Davis said Friday afternoon.
Aaron Ayers, 19, Wellsville, and Richard Crook, 35, Gardner, were arrested after law enforcement officials responded to the 4400 block of Rock Creek Road at 4:15 a.m. Friday, Undersheriff Steve Lunger said.
A man at the residence reported he saw two men breaking into his vehicle, Lunger said. Before officers arrived, the resident said he saw the two suspects drive to an abandoned house nearby, Lunger said.
Lunger said when officers arrived, the vehicle took off driving north through a field. Officers from the Franklin Sheriff’s Department, Ottawa Police Department and a helicopter from the Kansas Highway Patrol helped search for the vehicle, Lunger said.
He said during the search, another caller reported two males on the deck of a home in the 2400 block of Utah Road.
Ayers was arrested without incident there, Lunger said. He said Crook ran to a neighboring home, reportedly tried to kick open the door, and ultimately was found hiding beneath a truck in the driveway and arrested.
Ayers was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespassing, and Crook was arrested on suspicion of criminal trespassing, criminal damage to property and possession of methamphetamine.
Lunger said additional charges could follow.
He said officers don’t believe the two are connected to two reported home invasions in neighboring Anderson County.
Garnett police and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department are investigating what appears to be two related invasions occurring within a week.
In each case, a team of three armed black men forced their way into a home, threatened and tied up the occupants and stole cash, cards and other items.
The home invasions are also similar to other robberies occurring in Bourbon and Crawford counties, Anderson County Sheriff Scot Brownrigg said.
Herald staff writer Jodie Garcia can be e-mailed at jgarcia@ottawaherald.com.
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