You may never hear about the bulk of the investigative work that goes on at KCPD, but we like to specially recognize those who put forth an extra effort to keep the community safe from both violent and property crimes. Working together, Shoal Creek Patrol Division Crime Analyst Andrew Stanley and Detective Thomas Mahoney were able to crack a widespread Northland crime ring dedicated to stealing a very specific type of car. For their work, they received the Department’s Certificate of Commendation in an award ceremony May 26. Here is their story:From July to September 2008, Shoal Creek Patrol Division Crime Analyst Andrew Stanley noticed the same kind of car kept turning up stolen: Dodge Intrepids.
The theft pattern was assigned to Detective Thomas Mahoney to investigate. Analyst Stanley determined that the thefts were concentrated at North Kansas City Hospital, Harrah’s Casino and the Isle of Capri Casino. Detective Mahoney got surveillance video from all these places but could not identify the suspects. Analyst Stanley further studied the times, dates and locations of the thefts and realized that the crimes overlapped with bus route times.
On July 14, 2008, Detective Mahoney figured out a pawn shop in Kansas City, Kan., accepted property taken from one of the stolen Intrepids. Over the next three months, Detective Mahoney and Analyst Stanley pieced together information that pointed to two suspects. On September 23, 2008, Detective Mahoney found the two suspects – a man and a woman - at a motel in the East Patrol Division. They had with them a stolen Intrepid they had just taken from Riverside.
Detective Mahoney got confessions from both suspects. They had been stealing Intrepids across the metro area. Detective Mahoney ultimately determined that they had stolen 40 to 50 Intrepids altogether and had taken them to a chop shop in Kansas City, Kansas.
Thanks to their three months of solid investigative work, the suspects have been charged, and both remain in the Clay County Jail awaiting trial.
Excellent work, gentlemen!
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