Over the course of last several weeks, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office has taken several burglary reports from late January to mid-February. The estimated amount of loss has been in the tens of thousands of dollars.
On February 20, the Sheriff’s Office took a report of a stolen 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche in Barton County. The vehicle was located the next evening by the Larned Police Department and Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office. The occupants of the vehicle were arrested for drug charges as well as possessing the stolen vehicle.
The Barton County Sheriff’s Office recovered the vehicle, at which time they noted what appeared to be items matching the description of stolen property from Barton County thefts.
Over the last week, Sheriff’s deputies and detectives have been conducting an investigation which led to the search of a residence in Hoisington and recovered a substantial amount of stolen property. At least six burglaries in Barton County have been cleared, with the possibility of more being solved pending investigation.
The suspects, who had been arrested on the Pawnee County drug charges were in the Barton County Jail during this investigation. Two suspects have been booked for the burglaries...Edward Johnson, age 51 of Hoisington and Austin Lemonds, age 33, also of Hoisington.
Both have been charged with two counts of burglary of a residence, three counts of burglary of a non-dwelling, four counts of criminal damage to property, four counts of conspiracy to commit burglary, four counts of criminal damage to property and three counts of criminal trespass. Johnson and Lemonds are both being held in lieu of a $20,000 bond for the burglaries. This is in addition to the bond for the drug charges from Pawnee County.
Not all the property has been recovered, the Sheriff's Office is still looking for a Polaris Ranger ATV, a trailer, plasma cutters as well as other welding and shop equipment.
Law enforcement is seeking the public’s assistance if they have any information, please call Crime Stoppers of Barton County at 620-792-1300 or 888-305-1300. All calls are anonymous.