First Top 10 Most Wanted Suspect Arrested in Kearney

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of Kristen Hailee Wood, who had been featured on Clay County’s Top 10 Most Wanted list. Wood is with delivery of a controlled substance.

On May 28, Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by the Kearney Police Department, took her into custody without incident in Kearney, Missouri. Sheriff’s Office Officials said the arrest came just one day after the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office publicized its Top 10 Most Wanted list.

The Sheriff’s Office said an anonymous tip helped investigators locate Wood outside a Kearney hotel, underscoring the role of community information in locating wanted suspects. The case also reflects cooperation among the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Kearney Police Department, Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office.

The anonymous tipster in the case is expected to receive a $3,000 reward from the Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers. Authorities thanked community members who shared information and said public cooperation remains a critical part of helping law enforcement locate and apprehend alleged offenders.

Law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest said the coordinated effort helped safely take a wanted suspect into custody and reinforced the value of regional partnerships in keeping local communities safe.

Wood is currently being held at the Clay County Detention Center pending further court proceedings.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Charges Filed After Break-Ins at Smithville Lake Park Buildings

Clay County investigators say three buildings at Smithville Lake in Clay County Parks were broken into and rummaged through on the same day last month, with tools, keys to heavy equipment and other items reported stolen. Investigators said the break-ins also caused significant damage to the facilities.

After the burglaries, deputies increased patrols in the area. Two nights later, at about 1:15 a.m., a deputy spotted a vehicle with broken tail lamps driving near the scene of the earlier crimes. When the deputy attempted a traffic stop, investigators said the driver fled, leading deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended on Mount Olivet Road near NE 132nd Street.

Deputies arrested the driver and searched the vehicle, where they said they found keys and a set of bolt cutters stolen from County Parks. Investigators also recovered what they described as burglary tools, including a pry bar, saw, slim jims used to access locked vehicles, pliers and a skull-shaped mask. Authorities said they also found additional evidence that could connect the suspect to crimes in other cities.

Aaron A. Quinn, 46, has been charged with resisting arrest by fleeing and possession of burglary tools. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges could be filed. Officials said theft and damage to public property affect the entire community, and they praised the deputies and investigators who worked to stop the crime pattern quickly.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Clay County Most Wanted Suspect Apprehended

Eric E. Frazer

Deputies arrested their Most Wanted suspect Friday evening, which led to an assault on a Sheriff’s Office canine and multiple deputies requiring medical attention.

Deputies had been trying to take 54-year-old Eric E. Frazer into custody since December 2025, when he failed to appear in court for drug trafficking charges. He also failed to appear for a Valentine’s Law charge for fleeing a lawful stop. In just the last month, he fled from deputies two additional times. The Sheriff’s Office placed him on its Most Wanted list on April 22.

Investigation revealed Frazer was at a relative’s home in the 16800 block of Ragsdale Road at about 6 p.m. May 1. The relatives exited the home and allowed deputies to go inside to apprehend Frazer. Deputies deployed a drone for an initial search of the house, and after seeing nothing, went inside with K9 Argos. Argos directed them to a bathroom that had an opening to the attic. The drone showed Frazer hiding in the attic, but he refused to come out. Deputies did not know whether he was armed. After several warnings to Frazer, K9 Argos went into the attic to assist with the apprehension.

Frazer fought Argos, lying on top of him and forcing his head into the sheetrock, then pulling hard on the leash around his neck, causing the leash line to break. Fearing for everyone’s safety, deputies in the living room below cut a hole in the ceiling to get Argos and Frazer out. Argos fell through, with one deputy able to catch him just enough to break his fall. Deputies then pulled Frazer down. After being treated for his bite wounds at the hospital, Frazer is now in custody at the Clay County Detention Center with no bond. In addition to his original warrants, Frazer is now charged with:

• Felony aggravated fleeing a stop

• Felony resisting arrest

• Misdemeanor assault on a law enforcement animal

• Four misdemeanor charges of assault on law enforcement

Additional charges may be filed as investigation continues.

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office states this is the first time they have filed a charge under Max’s Law, which became effective in Missouri in August 2024. The law makes it a crime to injure or kill a police animal.

K9 Argos’ handler immediately took him to Long Veterinary Hospital to be evaluated for injuries and treated for inhaling insulation. Four deputies also had to be evaluated and treated at the hospital for various minor injuries sustained during the apprehension.  

Early Morning Chase Ends with Arrests and Unexpected Revelations

In the quiet hours just after 1 am on Monday, April 13, what began as a routine patrol on 210 Highway quickly escalated into a dramatic pursuit involving two stolen vehicles traveling together. Deputies spotted the cars and attempted to intervene, prompting both drivers to take off in different directions.

The first car sped into Avondale, where it struck a curb and suffered a flat tire. Undeterred, the driver fled into a nearby field near the 3400 block of N. Bellefontaine. As the vehicle came to a halt, both occupants jumped out and sprinted away. While one suspect surrendered, the other tried to outrun law enforcement.

K9 Argos, however, proved to be faster, tracking down and apprehending the fleeing suspect. After being treated for minor bite wounds at the hospital, the suspect joined his accomplice at the Detention Center.

Meanwhile, a separate deputy tracked the second stolen car to Antioch Road near Russell Road. This vehicle also attempted to escape, weaving across medians before finally becoming disabled near Randolph Road.

When deputies approached, they discovered the driver was a 13-year-old boy. In a candid admission, the teenager remarked that if people didn’t want their cars stolen, they shouldn’t leave them unlocked with the keys inside.

Authorities have charged 21-year-old Kayden Nolen and 21-year-old Kevante White—occupants of the first vehicle—with resisting arrest and tampering with a motor vehicle. The young driver from the second car was handed over to the Clay County Juvenile Office, where he remains in custody.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Hit-and-Run

***UPDATE 2 - 04/15, 10:50 AM***

The victim in this case is 37-year-old Steven C. Notari of Wisconsin. 

***UPDATE 5:43 PM***

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has a person of interest in custody. Investigation is ongoing. 

INITIAL STORY:

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal hit-and-run incident involving a pedestrian. At 7:10 am, Monday, April 13, a semitruck driver traveling on Interstate 35 reported seeing a person lying on Edgar Petty Road, just north of NE 116th Street. Deputies responded within four minutes and discovered a deceased man on the roadway, believed to have been struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene.

Edgar Petty Road was closed for several hours as investigators collected evidence, with assistance from the Platte County Sheriff’s Office in surveying the crash site. Detectives are working to confirm the victim’s identity and will notify his next of kin before releasing his name to the public.

Authorities suspect the vehicle involved is a 2013-2018 Ford Focus, which likely sustained fresh damage. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Investigations Unit at 816-407-3728 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477) to remain anonymous.

Officials continue to encourage the public to come forward with any details that could aid the investigation.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.