Man Threatens Deputies with 85,000-Pound Crane

A Kearney business owner was arrested for threatening deputies with a crane on Thursday, January 16th. Clay County deputies were originally at the business at 6 am to seize business assets.

Deputies were executing a court order at LPG Ventures, a storage, tanking, and equipment company located at 971 N Jefferson St in Kearney. Seven levy orders were issued by the Clay County Circuit Court for all businesses under the LPG company, owned by August J. Baanders and his wife.

Seized assets in the case were to be sold to pay an $800,000 judgement. Evidence, including footprints in the snow, showed the Baanders, 64 of Kansas City, parked a distance away and snuck onto the property. Baanders threatened deputies by driving an 85,000-pound crane at them and their patrol cars, coming within about 6 inches of flattening a patrol vehicle.

Baanders was climbing down the ladder, then, changing his mind, stayed on the crane, refusing to come down. Deputies had to go up and pull him off the ladder to finally arrest him. No injuries were reported.

The sheriff’s office reports Baanders is charged with interference with a legal process. He is being held on a $2,500 bond on top of the $800,000 that he owes. Baanders is currently in the Clay County detention center with more charges likely to come.

KPGZ News - Blake Magnusson contributed to this story.

Operation Full Cart Press Results in Arrests

The Clay County Sheriff’s office and Liberty Police Department joined forces to take a bite out of crime this holiday season. They worked together on “Operation Full Cart Press” to find and arrest shoplifters as soon as they committed their crimes in retail areas on 152 Highway in Liberty.

Deputies and Liberty police officers were able to apprehend four individuals on Dec. 9 and 13, and three of them have been charged:

• Yolanda K. Tinsley, 54, of Kansas City, Mo. - charged with resisting arrest and misdemeanor stealing in connection to the theft of $634.81 worth of items from Feldman’s Farm and Home, including Carhart coats and accessories

• Sylvester O. Smith, 58, of Columbia, Mo. - charged with felony stealing in connection to the Feldman’s Farm and Home theft

• Joe W. Wright, 51, of Kansas City, Mo. – charged with misdemeanor stealing in connection to Feldman’s Farm and Home theft

• A 22-year-old Kansas City, Mo., woman – charges are pending in relation to the theft of $243.60 worth of stolen goods from Hobby Lobby, Target and TJ Maxx.

Police and deputies were also able to recover a stolen vehicle during Full Cart Press. They were able to return the car to the owner.

Shoplifting incidences have been surging this year and Liberty Police have been making a substantial effort to stop the crime.

"We are committed to utilizing every available resource to ensure that Liberty remains a safe and welcoming community for all. This partnership with the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, and our local retail businesses demonstrates our shared responsibility to uphold the law and protect our residents and visitors," Liberty Police Department Chief Jim Martin said. "The initiative aims to proactively address criminal activity within Liberty’s retail sector. The operation seeks to hold individuals who attempt to break the law accountable, ensuring that they are arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

The Clay County Prosecutor’s Office has been working with law enforcement to make sure the suspects will face legal consequences.

“I commend the diligent work done by the professionals of the Liberty Police Department and Clay County Sheriff’s Office,” Prosecutor Zack Thompson said. “This effort shows the positive results our community sees when law enforcement agencies work together to keep our community safe.”

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputies to brighten Christmas for 40 children

Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies will help 40 deserving children have a fantastic holiday during their annual Shop with a Sheriff event Sunday.

Deputies will shop with the children Dec. 15 at the Wal-Mart at 8301 N. Church Rd., Kansas City, Mo. One half of the children will shop at 9 a.m., with the second half at 10 a.m. Families were identified to participate through counselors and social workers in North Kansas City Schools, where the Sheriff’s Office provides school resource deputies.

Each child will get $200 to purchase gifts for themselves and their loved ones. Sheriff’s Office volunteers will be on hand to wrap the gifts.

Shop with a Sheriff is funded by grants, public donations and donations that Sheriff’s Office employees make to be able to sport beards or small nose rings throughout the year. 

KPGZ News – Sarah Boyd contributed to this story.

Man Arrested After Breaking into Woman’s Home

A man is in jail today after allegedly breaking into an elderly woman’s home, stealing a handgun, and leaving his pants and ID behind before fleeing the scene.

31-year-old Jordan Blake

The Clay County Sheriff's Office received a report of a break-in around 4 am on November 28. An 81-year-old woman woke up to the smell of smoke and as she looked around she saw unknown bag. She then called the Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.

The woman grabbed her handgun and found a man armed with a knife in her home. The man was identified as 31-year-old Jordan Blake.

Blake allegedly took her gun and left the knife. The woman locked herself in another room. When Blake tried to get into the room, the woman was able to fight him off and he fled.

When deputies arrived at the home they found a burned rug, the knife and Blake’s pants with his wallet, ID, cell phone and drug pipe. Deputies arrested Blake at his home where they found the woman’s handgun.

The only injuries the woman suffered was a hurt shoulder.

Blake is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $200,000 bond. He has been charged with first-degree burglary, armed criminal action, knowingly burning, and stealing a firearm.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Deputies Rescue Toddlers During Stand-off

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office assisted local police officers in a stand-off with an armed and barricaded domestic violence suspect on Monday, October 28, in Pleasant Valley.

26-year-old Tyson S. Campbell

The incident began when Pleasant Valley Police received a call at 6:18 pm about a domestic disturbance in the 7100 block of Fulton Road. They asked for assistance from Claycomo Police officers.

When police got on scene, they spoke with a woman who said her partner had assaulted her and was inside the home with a gun. She had brought some of her children outside the home with her. She was not seriously injured.

The victim told police officers her partner inside, 26-year-old Tyson S. Campbell, had assaulted her, and that he was still inside and armed. He refused to come out.

When deputies arrived, Campbell still refused to exit, and deputies learned twin 1-year-old toddlers remained inside. He also refused to let the children out.

The Special Tactics and Response (STAR) Team and negotiators evacuated nearby townhomes and began communicating with Campbell to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.

After many hours of negotiations, deputies entered the home shortly after midnight. They encountered Campbell armed with a handgun. They were able to wrestle the gun away from him and take him safely into custody. They brought the toddlers to safety with their mother, the original assault victim. Two deputies suffered minor injuries during their encounter with Campbell.

Tyson Campbell has been charged with felony domestic assault. The investigation is ongoing, and more charges could be possible.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.