From the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office...
On Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, deputies of the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence located in Garfield. Upon arrival, Deputies contacted a resident of the household who detailed his house being burglarized, being beaten, threatened, and having his property destroyed.
The victim told law enforcement there was a separate intended juvenile victim that was not at the residence during the burglary. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement learned eight suspects drove to the residence and were involved at various levels.
Law enforcement worked throughout the night collecting evidence from the scene. The following day, deputies conducted multiple interviews with multiple suspects and the victim. The victim was able to identify several suspects in the case after being presented photo line-ups.
Additionally, the intended juvenile victim began making threats of extreme violence towards the suspects and their families. Law enforcement gathered intelligence and was able to determine the juvenile was in Ellinwood. With the assistance of the Ellinwood Police Department and the Barton County Sheriff's Office, the juvenile was taken into custody after a brief struggle.
On Tuesday, Oct. 1, the detective and deputies of the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office and officers with assistance of the Larned Police Department simultaneously executed two search warrants: one in the city of Garfield, and one in the city of Larned. Two suspects were taken into custody without incident and questioned as to their involvement. The suspects were arrested for the charges of aggravated burglary, criminal threat, battery, criminal damage to property, and felony interference with law enforcement. Additional arrests are expected in the cases.
Any person(s) having knowledge of these incidents are requested to contact law enforcement at the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office at (620) 285-2211 or the Pawnee County Crimestoppers at (620) 285-3277.