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LIBERAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
NEWS RELEASE
August 19, 2008
For additional Information contact:
Liberal Police Department
Ofc. (620) 626-0560
Fax: (620) 626-0559
P.O. Box 2199
Liberal, KS 67901
E-Mail: lpdnews@cityofliberal.com
Web: www.liberalpd.com
PRESS RELEASE 8/18/08
In recent weeks, the Liberal Police Department has been made aware of separate incidents that went unreported. Investigation found the victims were afraid to come forward because they were illegally in the United States. With the recent wave of immigration enforcement, the Police Department wants to clear up some questions and concerns so that victims feel comfortable calling the police when needed.
First, the Police Department has no deportation authority. Immigration status enforcement, deportations, etc are handled by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). The Liberal Police Department will assist ICE when asked, but as a general rule, the Liberal Police Department takes no enforcement action as it pertains to deportations or immigration status.
Second, if you call the police because you need help, your citizenship status will not be verified, or even asked about. If you are the victim of a crime, we are not concerned with whether you are a citizen. Services of the Police Department are provided to the residents, tenants and travelers of Liberal, regardless of resident status. In fact, if you are a victim of certain crimes, programs are available to grant legal status so that victims are available for follow-up and possible proceedings. The Police Department can assist you in that process, if needed.
The recent cases of immigration enforcement deals with people that committed felony crimes. Simply put, they were not picked up because they were illegally in the United States, they were picked up for committing serious crimes.
The Police Department wants to emphasize two things. First, do not fear calling the police if you have been the victim of a crime. We will meet with you, take a report and investigate the crime to the best of our ability regardless of your resident status. Second, as previously mentioned, the Department wants to get to know all members of the community, and work with the community to prevent, reduce and solve crime.
The Department maintains a Crime Hotline that you can call and provide information without giving your name. That number is 624-4000 and it is answered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The Department has rewards available for those persons who provide information leading to the arrest and conviction for certain crimes.
If you have any questions about the law, the Department or its programs, call 626-0141.
NEWS RELEASE 8/15/08
On Thursday, August 14th, officers from the Liberal Police Department received an anonymous tip that marijuana was being grown at a residence in the 700 block of S. Clay. Based on this information, officers attempted to contact the residents at that location. While nobody was home at the time, several live marijuana plants were seen. Officers later served a search warrant at that house. Both occupants of the house, a 35 year old female and a 16 year old male, were arrested for cultivation of marijuana within 1000 feet of a school, as well as several other related charges. The case has been forwarded to the Seward County Attorney’s Office for the determination of formal charges.
NEWS RELEASE 8/15/08
During the evening hours of Monday, August 11, 2008, a robbery took place at the intersection of Lincoln and Hickory, in Liberal, involving two male suspects that worked together.
An adult male was delivering ice cream, walking south on Lincoln. He was called back, about half way up the block behind him, by a male in his teens. When the victim met with this male, the second male came from behind a vacant building, and the two males beat the victim by punching and kicking his face, head and chest. During the beating, the victim’s fanny pack, which held all of his money, was forcibly removed and stolen. The two suspects then ran west down the north alley of the 100 block of West Hickory. The victim sustained injuries to his face, chest and head. Two suspects got away with the victim’s fanny pack and an undisclosed amount of money, mostly change.
The suspects are both Hispanic males. The first has a heavy build and is in his mid to late teens. He was wearing a black shirt and long pants. He spoke Spanish to the victim and English to his accomplice. The second male is in his late teens to early 20’s and is much thinner than the other. He also wore a black shirt and long pants. He spoke very little during the attack, and hid as the first suspect called the victim.
The Police Department is requesting your help in locating the two suspects responsible for the beating and robbery of the “ice cream man”. The victim said there were people around and the neighborhood was busy with pedestrian traffic.
Anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for this crime are eligible for a reward. If you have information about this or any other crime, please call the Liberal Police Department at 626-0150 or anonymously to our Crime Hotline at 624-4000.
Monday, August 18, 2008
1. Warrant 500 blk N Jordan 08-18-08 / 12:11 P.M.
A 32yo female was arrested on an outside agency warrant.
2. ID Theft 851 Millwood 08-18-08 / 1:48 P.M.
A 26yo female reported an identity theft.
3 Theft 1500 Terrace 08-18-08 / 1:14 P.M.
An 87yo female reported a theft from her residence.
4. Warrant 200 blk W Coolidge 08-18-08 / 9:15 P.M.
A 21yo male was arrested on a Seward County warrant.
5. Drive While Suspended 100 blk S Kansas 08-18-08 / 9:48 P.M.
A 25yo male was arrested for driving while his driver’s license is suspended, no proof of insurance and driving without headlights.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
1. Criminal Damage Unit blk S Calhoun 08-17-08 / 8:09 A.M.
A 28yo female reported criminal damage to her vehicle.
2. Accident 300 blk W 2nd 08-17-08 / 10:15 A.M.
Officers responded to the report of a one vehicle accident where the vehicle apparently left the roadway and struck a tree. No injuries were reported.
3. Theft 2000 blk Long Ave 08-17-08 / 8:00 A.M.
A 38yo male reported the theft of the license plate from his vehicle.
4. Accident 800 blk S Calhoun 08-17-08/12:01 A.M.
Officers responded to the report of a non injury accident.
5. Theft 1417 N Kansas 08-17-08 / 8:57 P.M.
A 14yo male was arrested for theft from Dillons.
6. Warrant 200 blk W Pancake 08-18-08 / 8:57 P.M.
A 26yo male was arrested on a municipal warrant.
7. Theft 100 blk W Pancake 08-17-08 / 9:40 P.M.
A 26yo female reported the theft of the tag from her vehicle.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
1. Theft 400 blk S Calhoun 08-16-08 / 2:32 P.M.
A 26yo female reported the theft of the tag from a vehicle.
2. Drive While Suspended 1501 E. 8TH 08-16-08 / 3:14 P.M.
A 25yo male was arrested for driving while his driver’s license is suspended, no proof of insurance, failure to signal and for an obstructed windshield.
3. No DL 200 blk S Tulane 08-16-08 / 7:23 P.M.
A 23yo male was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license and reckless driving.
4. Warrant 501 N Washington 08-16-08 / 10:15 P.M.
A 33yo male was arrested for an outstanding municipal warrant.
5. Walking While Intoxicated 500 blk E Pancake
08-17-08 / 2:14 A.M.
A 26yo male was arrested for walking while intoxicated.
Friday, August 15, 2008
1. No DL 1000 blk N. Pennsylvania 08-15-08/10:18 A.M.
A 53yo female was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license and failure to signal.
2. Criminal Damage 100 blk S Street 08-15-08 /1:05 P.M.
A 21yo female reported criminal damage to her vehicle.
3. Burglary 1400 blk S Clay 08-15-08 / 8:02 A.M.
A 28yo male reported a burglary and theft to his vehicle.
4. No DL 500 blk E Pancake 08-15-08 / 11:34 P.M.
A 21yo male was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license, transporting an open container, no proof of insurance and a defective brake light.
5. Warrant 1900 blk N. Kansas 08-15-08 / 11:54 P.M.
A 39yo female was arrested on an outside agency warrant.
6. Theft 300 blk S Calhoun 08-16-08 / 2:37 A.M.
A 30yo female reported the theft of her license plate from her vehicle.
