Clay County Releases Updated Top Ten Most Wanted List

Clay County prosecutors have released a new Top Ten Most Wanted list after seven of the ten people named on the county’s first list were taken into custody.

The updated list, announced July 1, continues a countywide effort to locate defendants who have been charged with serious crimes and have active warrants for their arrest. The program was first announced May 27 and is a partnership among the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement agencies and Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers.

Officials say the initiative is designed to bring absconders before the court while asking the public to help law enforcement safely locate and apprehend people wanted on outstanding warrants.

People who submit information through Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest of someone on the list may be eligible for a $3,000 anonymous and tax-free reward.

Clay County Prosecutor Zach Thompson praised the results of the program so far, saying the arrests reflect cooperation between residents and law enforcement.

“I could not be prouder of our community and law enforcement partners for working together to keep Clay County safe and helping us deliver timely justice for victims of crimes,” Thompson said. “We hope this collaboration and the continued investigative work from our dedicated law enforcement partners will speed up the criminal justice system and increase public safety.”

The new Top Ten Most Wanted list will be posted on the Clay County Prosecutor’s Office website, the office’s official social media channels and through other local law enforcement sources.

The public is urged not to approach anyone listed as wanted. Anyone with information about a person’s whereabouts should contact law enforcement or submit an anonymous tip to Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers by calling (816) 474-TIPS (8477), visiting the Greater KC Crime Stoppers website at kccrimestoppers.com, or using the free Crime Stoppers P3 app, supported by Android and Apple.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Another Top Ten Most Wanted Defendant Arrested

Authorities have announced the arrest of David Lidge, a defendant who had been featured on the Clay County Top Ten Most Wanted List. Lidge is charged with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Use of a Firearm.

On June 24, the Arizona FBI PX Desert Hawk Fugitive Task Force worked with the local FBI to take Lidge into custody. Officials described the arrest as a true community effort and a testament to the strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies.

Lidge is currently being held in Maricopa County, Arizona. He has waived extradition and is being held without bond pending the resolution of local charges.

Law enforcement officials expressed appreciation for the joint assistance of multi-agency partners, community members, and everyone who shared information related to the case. Authorities emphasized that public cooperation remains a critical part of helping law enforcement locate and apprehend alleged offenders.

You can find the complete list and information about how to collect a $3,000 anonymous reward at claycountyprosecutor.com.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Another Top Ten Most Wanted Defendant Arrested

Dylan Ray Robertson, a defendant featured on Clay County’s Top Ten Most Wanted list, was taken into custody June 8 after a short foot pursuit near East 85th Street and Prospect Avenue in Kansas City, according to authorities.

Robertson is charged with second-degree drug trafficking in State v. Robertson. This marks the fourth arrest since the launch of the county’s Top Ten Most Wanted initiative, an effort that offers a $3,000 anonymous reward for information leading to an arrest. The initiative was publicly announced in late May.

The arrest was carried out by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Kansas City Career Criminal Task Force. Officials said the apprehension followed continued investigative work and coordination among Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and other local law enforcement partners.

Officials thanked community members who shared information related to the case, saying public cooperation remains an important part of helping law enforcement locate and apprehend alleged offenders. Robertson is currently being held at the Clay County Detention Center pending further court proceedings.

To view the 10 Most Wanted list, visit claycountyprosecutor.com.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Two More Suspects on Most Wanted List Captured

Clay County officials announced the arrests of two more suspects who had been featured on the county’s Top 10 Most Wanted list, marking the second and third apprehensions since the initiative launched last week.

Authorities said Michelle Essig and David Santia were both taken into custody in separate arrests over the past several days. Essig, who faces charges of resisting arrest and first-degree robbery was arrested May 29 by members of the Kansas City Police Department’s East Zone Proactive Squad without incident. Santia, charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree tampering was arrested May 31 by officers with the Mill Creek Township Police Department in Pennsylvania.

Officials credited the arrests to continued investigative work and cooperation among Greater Kansas City Crime Stoppers, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and local law enforcement partners. The county’s Most Wanted initiative, announced last week, also offers a $3,000 anonymous reward for information leading to an arrest.

Essig is being held at the Clay County Detention Center pending further court proceedings, while Santia is being held at the Erie County Prison awaiting extradition. Authorities also thanked community members for sharing information tied to the cases, saying public cooperation remains essential to locating and apprehending wanted offenders.

“Creating safer communities is a joint effort, and I am proud of our dedicated law enforcement partners and citizens stepping up to make sure justice is delivered in these cases,” Prosecutor Zach Thompson said.

Officials said the full Top 10 Most Wanted list and reward details are available on the Clay County Prosecutor’s website. https://www.claycountyprosecutor.com/

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

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.