PAWNEE COUNTY– Two of three suspects accused of scrap metal theft over ten years from the city of Larned appeared in Pawnee County Court Thursday.
Randall Parker, 59, and Randall Bird, 45, both of Larned, are charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft of property worth at least $25,000, but less than $100,000, according to Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
The charges stem from an ongoing investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) into an alleged theft of scrap materials owned by City of Larned dating back to at least January of 2011.
The Larned Police Department first requested the assistance of the KBI in July of 2021 after an area scrap metal company notified the City of Larned of suspicion activity involving city employees.
Also charged in the conspiracy is Khristopher Foster, 45 of Larned. Foster’s First Appearance has been continued to May 23, 2022. The trio also each face a separate charge of Theft.
Preliminary hearings were scheduled for a later date, according to McNett.