Drive carefully in the new year

While the number of homicides in Kansas City continues to be very disturbing (we're at 106 this year compared to 110 in 2009 and 126 in 2008), another statistic gets far less press but is equally concerning: the 68 people who have died in fatality crashes in Kansas City this year. That's three more people than died in crashes in 2009, despite intensive efforts by police to stop this trend (DUI and driver's license checkpoints, targeting revoked drivers and much more) and despite the nation overall having the lowest number of traffic deaths since 1954.

An interesting pattern of KC's 2010 traffic fatalities also has emerged: that of a single driver alone in the car losing control of his or her vehicle and crashing. This is the first discernible traffic death pattern we've had since 2008, when we had a large number of motorcycle crashes. Very few of these deaths of single drivers are related to road conditions. Most are the result of impaired or distracted drivers. Due to toxicology tests, it's relatively easier for police to determine whether a driver was drunk or high at the time of the crash. It's harder to figure out if the driver was talking or texting on a cell phone. For your safety and others, please don't do either of these things.

The number of people killed homicides in Kansas City has fallen, but the number of people killed in car crashes is on the rise. Please drive safely this New Year's Eve and into the New Year, and don't become a statistic.

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Police stop prolific Northland thief

Last week, a man broke into his neighbor’s home at 55th and North Woodland. He knocked on the door, and when a developmentally disabled teenager answered it, he pushed his way inside and stole a laptop computer. He left, then came back and stole more. Then, he started making threatening calls to the victims. On Dec. 21, police caught up with the man they believe to be the theft suspect, 32-year-old Brandon Seys, but he refused to stop for officers. They pursued him, but Seys eluded them and drove through a fence at Davidson Elementary School. Realizing Seys could be a serious danger to the public, police called off the pursuit. But they later found his truck outside his girlfriend’s house at Barry Road and Evanston. They obtained a search warrant for the property and found a large stash of stolen goods.

The Shoal Creek Patrol Division’s property room now is full of stolen items – many power tools and pieces of construction equipment, but also a lawnmower, laptop computers, purses, cell phones, even a child’s ceramic bank with change inside. Police believe Seys was stealing from cars, homes and retail stores. Detectives have identified several of the victims and are continuing to do so. They’re coming from all over the city. Detectives also conducted a residence check at Seys’ parents’ home and recovered the laptop stolen from his neighbors and returned it to them.

Seys has been charged with burglary in Clay County and is being held on $100,000 bond. With Seys’ incarceration, detectives of the Shoal Creek Property Crimes Section believe they’ve stopped a major source of property crime both north of the River and in the metro area. He is on parole for assault on a law enforcement officer and has only been out of custody since Sept. 1. Since that time, police thinking he actively had been stealing in Kansas City.

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Clerk killed in convenience store robbery identified

At about 5 a.m. yesterday, Dec. 28, police were called to the 5900 block of Swope Parkway (Inner City Oil) in regard to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found the business's employee dead inside. The victim has been identified as 25-year-old Sujendra Amarasingham. A customer found him and called police. Police are looking for the men captured in these photos. If you know who they are or have any other information, call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).

Police shoot man breaking into house

At about 9:20 a.m. today, Dec. 29, a woman in the 7800 block of East 111th Terrace called 911 to report prowlers in her neighborhood. As police arrived, the woman called back to say two men had kicked in the door of a house and gone inside. When police approached the home, two men came out, one wielding a large pipe. Officers repeatedly asked the man to put the pipe down, but instead he charged officers in a threatening manner. One officer fired and struck the suspect, who died a short time later from his injuries. The second suspect was taken into custody without incident. Neither he nor any officers were hurt. Police have not yet named the man they shot but, he is a white male who is approximately 40 years old.

Police seek information on convenience store homicide



Person of Interest No. 1



Person of Interest No. 2


Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying the two individuals in the surveillance photos above.
At 5 a.m. this morning, KCPD police were called to Inner City Oil, 5901 Swope Pkwy in regard to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a shooting victim inside the business with no signs of life. He was pronounced dead a short time later. A customer found the 24-year old male victim, who is an employee of the business, and called police.

If you can help identify the people of interest in the photos, please contact Crime Stoppers Tips Hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

An important message from the KCPD

Have a wonderful holiday!



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Police nab catalytic converter thief

Kansas City Police have tracked down a prolific catalytic converter thief, and prosecutors have charged him on multiple counts. Alfonz C. Dawson, 27, has been charged with three counts of tampering related to catalytic converter thefts, as well as four felony driving while revoked charges, and a forgery charge. We continue to investigate more involved in the theft ring.

Since Nov. 1, more than 80 catalytic converters have been reported stolen from vehicles in Kansas City, Mo. More have been reported in surrounding communities, too. Even more catalytic converter thefts have gone unreported, usually by people who don’t have full coverage insurance. It can cost more than $1,000 to replace a catalytic converter, and a vehicle won’t pass inspection without one.

When police served a search warrant at Dawson’s home, they found eight catalytic converters stolen within the last week. We have already traced four of those back to the cars and victims from which they were stolen. One belonged to a cancer patient. Police are hard at work tracing the other ones.

Of the 80 reported catalytic converter thefts in the last two months, more than half have been stolen from the Northland. The thieves struck cars in apartment complexes, used car dealerships, auto repair facilities and even hospital parking lots.

Since Dawson has been in custody, only two other catalytic converter thefts have been reported, both in the East Patrol Division area. This is a marked decrease from what we’ve been experiencing. It’s important to note that the three tampering charges Dawson faces are felonies – more severe than a typical theft-from-auto case. According to state statute, removing a catalytic converter is tampering with the operation of an automobile and is subject to more serious penalties than, say, stealing something out of a car’s passenger cabin. We continue to investigate this crime and will keep you update on the results.


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Thank you to J.B. Reynolds Foundation

I wanted to say a big thank you to the J.B. Reynolds Foundation and Mr. Web Bixby, who are stalwart supporters of Kansas City Police. Yesterday, Mr. Bixby presented me three checks totaling $19,700. A total of $10,000 was donated to the Police Athletic League, $7,500 was donated to the KCPD Care Team, and $2,200 was donated to the Friends of Mounted Patrol. Thanks so much for for your very generous support of KCPD and our community outreach.

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Two homicide victims identified

At about 4:52 p.m. Saturday, August 18, officers were called to 5125 Woodland about a shooting. They contacted a man who said he and the victim, 50-year-old Denise Peterson of Kansas City, Mo., had driven through the area of 54th and Wayne when they heard several shots. He then saw Peterson was unresponsive, stopped the vehicle and knocked on doors of residences to call police. The victim was immediately transported to a local hospital with grave injuries. She has now died of her injuries.

Then at about 10 p.m. yesterday, Dec. 21, officers were called to the 1100 block of Hardesty on a shooting. Police found a man dead inside an apartment building. He has been identified as 27-year-old Jermaine E. Rowe of Kansas City, Mo.

Jermaine Rowe

These are the 101st and 102nd homicides in Kansas City this year. If you have any information about either of them, please call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (8477).
The victim, identified as Denise Peterson, W/F, 01/09/1960 of KCMO, has died of her injuries.

Operation Safe Holiday

Operation Safe Holiday is an initiative the Shoal Creek Patrol Division undertakes each year to ensure shoppers in some of the city’s busiest retail corridors stay safe. They’re handing this holiday crime prevention brochure to shoppers and introducing themselves at stores along 152 Highway near Church Road and at Chouteau Crossing at Chouteau and I-35. Officers have increased patrols in these areas (including in parking lots) and met with employees of the area retailers – everywhere from JC Penney to Wal-Mart – to get to know them and answer their questions.

Their efforts, which have been underway since the Friday after Thanksgiving and will continue until Christmas, have led to substantially decreased thefts from vehicles. You can help decrease your chance of being a victim of these by always locking your car, never leaving anything of value in plain sight in your vehicle and parking in well-lit areas. And never, ever leave your car running unattended. Also, ladies, when you’re shopping, don’t leave your purse unattended in your shopping cart.

As you finish up your last-minute Christmas shopping, please keep these safety tips in mind to make your holiday season as merry as possible.


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