Great Bend Police Chief Steve Haulmark released information on Monday concerning some of last week’s cases, including an alleged aggravated assault with a handgun reported on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
At approximately 5:42 p.m. that day, officers with the Great Bend Police Department were dispatched to the 400 block of Evergreen Street in reference to shots fired. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, who advised that he had been involved in an argument with the mother of his child, and that during the argument, the suspect, Melissa Sanders, age 39, produced a handgun and fired in his direction. The victim left the scene and contacted the Police Department.
Officers were able to locate Sanders driving east of Great Bend and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. They were able to locate the firearm allegedly used in the incident inside of the vehicle. Sanders was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Barton County Jail for aggravated assault in lieu of bail.
On Nov. 25 at approximately 10:19 p.m., a GBPD officer contacted Laveta Elam, 41, in the 200 block of Main St. Barton County Communications confirmed Elam to have an outstanding warrant for failure to appear. While being taken into custody, Elam reportedly refused to comply with the officer’s directives and actively resisted arrest. She was arrested and transported to the Barton County Jail. While at the Barton County Jail, narcotics were located, hidden on Elam’s person. Elam was charged with resisting arrest, trafficking contraband into a correctional facility, and the failure to appear warrant, and booked into the jail in lieu of bond.
On Friday, Nov. 28, at approximately 4:06 a.m., GBPD officers were dispatched to N-Stant Convenience, 3220 10th St., in reference to a commercial burglary alarm. Upon their arrival, officers located a large window broken out by a brick. Officers made entry into the building and ensured the building was unoccupied. After contacting staff members of the business, officers were able to identify two juvenile suspects, ages 16 and 17, due to prior contacts throughout the night. Officers located the juveniles and placed them under arrest for burglary and possession of tobacco by minors. The juveniles were booked into the Barton County Jail where they were referred to the 20th Judicial District Juvenile Services for placement in juvenile detention.
Prior to receiving this call for service, at 12:30 a.m. that same morning, Officers had received a similar alarm call at Ampride, 2300 10th St. At the time of the call, the business was secure and undamaged. Later in the morning, officers returned to Ampride and requested to observe security video prior to the alarm going off. Officers were able to identify the same two juveniles attempting to throw a large rock through the window to gain access to the business, but they were unsuccessful. The two juveniles fled the scene prior to officer arrival for the alarm. Charges for both juveniles were amended, and the charge of attempted burglary was added for their actions at Ampride.
On Nov. 28 at approximately 2:32 p.m., a GBPD officer conducted a traffic stop in the 2200 block of 24th St. for a traffic violation. During the stop, GBPD K-9 Neo was deployed for a free air sniff and alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics. While searching an occupant of the vehicle, Edward Gray, 42, fled on foot. Gray was apprehended a short distance away and taken into custody. Officers recovered a bag containing suspected methamphetamine as well as drug paraphernalia from Gray’s person. Gray was transported to the Barton County Jail on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and interference with law enforcement.
Anyone with information on these cases or any other case is encouraged to contact the Great Bend Police Department at 620-793-4120 or the Barton County Crime Stoppers at 620-792-1300 or online at p3tips.com.
