Stolen Vehicle Suspect Arrested Near Worlds of Fun

A Guatemalan man attempted to flee Kearney Police in a stolen vehicle on Black Friday, but the only special deal he received was a K-9 bite and a free ride to jail.

Kearney police officers identified a stolen vehicle on Friday, November 29. When they tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled south on I-35. Officers requested the assistance of outside agencies to help capture the suspect.

Cristian Guevara-Urbina - police photo.

The vehicle crashed on I-435, just south of 69 Highway in Claycomo. The occupant, Cristian Guevara-Urbina, fled from the vehicle and tried to hide in a wooded area on Randolph Rd.

Urbina was found and taken into custody after being bitten by a Kansas City, MO K-9 officer.

Urbina was charged with two felonies – tampering with a motor vehicle and also “Valentines Law,” a new Missouri law that is described as “aggravated fleeing a stop.” Because of the high-speed and dangerous manner in which he operated the vehicle, this is a Class D felony.

Urbina is being held in the Clay County Detention Facility on a $40,000 bond. Kearney Police are working with the Department of Homeland Security to determine his citizenship status and possible other charges.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Kearney Schools Receive Unfounded Threats

The Kearney School District was among many in the metro area that received threats or anonymous tips of threats this week. An investigation by Kearney Police and school officials determined any threat made to schools this week to be unfounded.

The Kearney School District received an anonymous tip on Wednesday, September 11, through the state’s Courage2Report system. The threat concerned a possible threat involving one of the schools.

School Resource Officer Adam Kirkland, law enforcement and administrators conducted a thorough investigation after the tip was reported. They determined the threat to be unfounded. Classes at Kearney schools were held as usual, but with a heightened police presence.

In an unrelated incident, a man who had multiple warrants was stopped and arrested by the Clay County Sheriff's Office at Dogwood Elementary School on Thursday, September 12.

A deputy ran the man's plates and was alerted he had outstanding warrants. The deputy stopped the man, and he pulled into the parking lot of Dogwood Elementary. The man said he had a student at the school but quickly admitted he lied.

The man had warrants for non-violent offenses.

The Kearney School District encourages parents and guardians to speak with their students about the seriousness of school safety. If parents or students become aware of information about a concern or threat, the best course of action is to report that directly to the school or the district. Anonymous tips can be shared using the Scholastic Crime Stoppers program by calling (816) 474-TIPS or visiting KCCrimeStoppers.com.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Teen Charged After Shooting into Homes

18-year-old Connor Landie of Riverside is in the Clay County Detention Center after allegedly shooting into two Kearney homes on Monday.

Kearney police officers arrested after Landie became a person of interest in the investigation of shots fired in the 1200 block of Geneva Circle.

Officers were initially called to the homes just after 9 am on Monday, September 2 on a report of property damage. Police discovered the homes had been hit multiple times.

Police reports were submitted to the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office and Landie was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by firing into an occupied dwelling, a Class B felony.

Landie was taken into custody without incident on Tuesday, September 3, and is currently being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

School District Prioritizes Security with Personnel Changes

During its Aug. 21 business meeting, the school board signed off on two items designed to help meet the safety and security objectives in Kearney School District’s five-year strategic plan.

The Board approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Kearney to provide a School Resource Officer (SRO) for the district. District and city officials collaborated over several months to update the MOU, which dates back to 2014.

District Superintendent Emily Miller

The most important change to the MOU is that the District’s SRO will now be an employee of the city and report directly to the Kearney Police Department. District administration will have input on the selection process and work collaboratively with the Chief of Police and City Administrator regarding the SRO’s duties. Kearney School District will reimburse the city for the SRO’s time spent within the school district.

In addition, a motion to designate a district employee as a School Protection Officer (SPO), which is allowed under state law, was also approved by the board.

“It just gives the school district some flexibility to add additional safety and security personnel,” Superintendent Emily Miller said.

The SPO can perform functions similar to those of an SRO in schools. The only exception is the ability to make an arrest, which is reserved for law enforcement officers.

current KSD SRO Adam Kirkland

The plan is to have current KSD SRO Adam Kirkland become the district’s SPO, according to Director of Operations Erek Noland. KPD Ofc. Cameron Philip has been selected for the SRO position. It’s anticipated that he will start his new role in September.

Stakeholders identified increasing safety and security as a top priority in the district’s strategic plan. The administration made difficult budget decisions in order to find the resources to expand KSD’s safety and security team.

Dr. Miller assured the board that staff members, students and families won’t see a decrease in the level of service from the new SRO. In fact, the revised MOU combined with the addition of an SPO means that KSD will now have two trained safety and security professionals on-site.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.

July 3 Fireworks Show News Released

***UPDATE***

The City of Kearney Fireworks Celebration scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, at Jesse James Park will be postponed to Friday, July 5th. Friday night beginning at 5 pm there will be inflatable air toys, cotton candy and concessions, culminating with the Fireworks show at 9:30 pm.

Unfortunately, concert is cancelled. All other events will take place.

The order of events are similar to last year. Free inflatable air toys for the children to play in take place from 5 pm to 8:30 pm. Funk/Soul band Funk Syndicate will play on the amphitheater stage at 7:30 pm. The fireworks show begins at 9:30 pm.

Admission and Parking are free and spectators are encouraged bring lawn chairs and blankets to sit on and to park their vehicles prior to 9 pm.

In the event of a postponement, the fireworks will be moved to Friday, July 5th.

Kearney police will have two exit lanes for cars leaving Jesse James Park.

“The right exit lane will take drivers north on Missouri 33 Highway toward 184th Street,” states a Kearney Police Department social media post. “The left exit lane will take drivers south on Missouri 33 Highway. We would ask that drivers do not switch lanes as that will cause more traffic delays.”

The police department also notes that 33 Highway will be closed at 162nd street to all southbound traffic and all traffic will be diverted west onto 162nd street towards nation road then back onto 92 highway. This is going to help stop the congestion from the traffic leaving the churches.

City staff are expecting a large turnout this year. Please allow extra time as and patience leaving parking areas.

Brian Watts contributed to this story.