Cooperation between police departments in Ark City and Winfield has led to multiple arrests and the recovery of thousands of dollars in property taken in more than a dozen local burglaries.
Investigators in both cities continue to sift through dozens and dozens of items, including at least 40 firearms, jewelry and electronic items, including phones. Mark Knoles, with the Winfield Police Dept., said he expects to begin contacting residents about their recovered property sometime next week.
“We got with the Ark City Police Dept., and a lieutenant down there and I started talking and getting some information together,” Knoles told NewsCow. “And we just kind of started working it all together.”
The burglaries in Winfield and Ark City date back to at least January of this year. The well over 100 items recovered have been connected to 15 or more cases in both cities. Search warrants were conducted at four locations – two in Ark City, one in Winfield and one in the county – as the investigation wore on.
Most of the burglaries were of residences, though some items were taken from vehicles.
“Anywhere they could get something they could sell, anything of value,” Knoles said. “We recovered a lot of stolen items. The night we brought most of it in, there was so much of it, you couldn’t find a place (in the room) to sit down.”
Police know there are more stolen items out there that have not been recovered and have perhaps been sold. An investigation is continuing.
25-year-old Julie Smeltzer and 36-year-old Joshua Young, both of Winfield, were arrested March 30 as part of an investigation that included the search of a Winfield residence.
Both posted bond this week and were released from the Cowley County Jail. Possible charges include burglary, theft and possession of drugs. Other suspects have been identified and could eventually be charged.
Ark City Police Chief Dan Ward, via email, confirmed to KSOK Radio and NewsCow that his department had recovered a large amount of stolen property as part of this joint investigation.
On March 28, officers received a search warrant for a residence at 411 N. 8th in Ark City, the residence of Ricky Dale Wade.
Officers found many stolen items including guns, jewelry, coins and a substantial amount of marijuana. Also found was drug paraphernalia and a small amount of methamphetamine, chief Ward said.
Wade was arrested as a result of the search and was released on bond the following day.
Stolen property shown here is connected to cases in Winfield.
