Barton County Sheriff’s Office detectives had been working to obtain information about a string of recent burglaries in the last several weeks.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, the Sheriff’s Office developed enough probable cause to obtain a search warrant. The warrant was executed at 1814 Odell Street in the City of Great Bend. Deputies were looking for stolen property.
At about 3:15 p.m., officers gained entry to the residence and located three persons on the property. During the course of the investigation stolen property was located from at least three burglaries.
As the investigation continued, deputies discovered methamphetamine and homemade explosives. The explosives were such that the Sheriff’s Office did not have the proper equipment to dispose of them. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was notified, and the Wichita Police Department bomb squad responded to the scene. The pipe bombs were secured and transported to Wichita by the bomb squad where they will be disposed of. Law enforcement was on the scene until about 11 p.m. Tuesday.
Three persons were arrested at the scene, including Derek Devine, age 34 of Great Bend. Devine was booked for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of explosives, felony theft, burglary as well as possession of stolen property. He’s being held in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
Caitlin Robinson, age 26 of Great Bend, was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine. Her bond is set at $20,000.
Michael Wheeler, age 50 of Great Bend, was also arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine his bond is set at $10,000.
The Sheriff’s Office was assisted at the scene by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s office, Wichita Police Department bomb unit, and the Great Bend Fire Department.