NorthlandRaveAlum
02-21-2006, 04:31 PM
Ring netted an estimated $500,000 to $750,000 in goods
Platte County investigates burglaries
By BILL GRAHAM
The Kansas City Star
A burglary ring allegedly robbed model homes and the homes of families attending funerals, then sold stolen goods at an upscale interior decorating store in Riverside, authorities said Friday.
The ring nabbed an estimated $500,000 to $750,000 in goods from robberies throughout the metro area, said Capt. Frank Hunter of the Platte County Sheriff’s Department.
“This is the biggest burglary case we’ve ever dealt with,” Hunter said.
Late Friday, several police agencies searched a business called the Decorator House at 1847 N.W. Vivion Road, Hunter said. Officers brought in lists of stolen goods to compare with merchandise in the store.
The store’s owner, Stephanie Riddle, 29, who told authorities she lived in Johnson County, Mo., was charged Friday in Platte County Circuit Court with one count of receiving stolen property. She was being held Friday at the Platte County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
Authorities on Friday also searched two storage lockers in Claycomo and found stolen goods thought to be connected to the ring, Hunter said. A stolen trailer loaded with stolen items was recovered at a farm in Johnson County, Mo., he said..
The case began unfolding last week when authorities arrested two men after a homeowner in rural Platte County discovered a robbery in progress. The men had stolen goods and burglary equipment in the pickup they were riding in, authorities said.
Dane S. Johnson, 32, and Landon N. Prothro, 30, both of Kansas City, North, were arrested Feb. 10 and charged with one count of first-degree burglary and three counts of second-degree burglary.
Johnson was free on $50,000 bond but was arrested again Friday and charged with another count of first-degree burglary, Hunter said. He was in the Platte County Jail on Friday with a second bond, cash only, set at $50,000.
Besides occupied residences, the suspected burglary ring also apparently struck model homes stocked with new furniture and furnishings, Hunter said.
Some items identified as stolen were found at the Decorator House store in the Eastbrook Plaza shopping center, Hunter said.
“It’s an upscale store with furniture, pictures, decorative plants, vases, large candles and things used for decorative style,” he said.
Police from cities such as Lenexa and Raymore were among those checking items in the store Friday, Hunter said. More agencies were to investigate the store and the articles recovered from the storage lockers and the trailer.
Platte County investigates burglaries
By BILL GRAHAM
The Kansas City Star
A burglary ring allegedly robbed model homes and the homes of families attending funerals, then sold stolen goods at an upscale interior decorating store in Riverside, authorities said Friday.
The ring nabbed an estimated $500,000 to $750,000 in goods from robberies throughout the metro area, said Capt. Frank Hunter of the Platte County Sheriff’s Department.
“This is the biggest burglary case we’ve ever dealt with,” Hunter said.
Late Friday, several police agencies searched a business called the Decorator House at 1847 N.W. Vivion Road, Hunter said. Officers brought in lists of stolen goods to compare with merchandise in the store.
The store’s owner, Stephanie Riddle, 29, who told authorities she lived in Johnson County, Mo., was charged Friday in Platte County Circuit Court with one count of receiving stolen property. She was being held Friday at the Platte County Jail with bond set at $15,000.
Authorities on Friday also searched two storage lockers in Claycomo and found stolen goods thought to be connected to the ring, Hunter said. A stolen trailer loaded with stolen items was recovered at a farm in Johnson County, Mo., he said..
The case began unfolding last week when authorities arrested two men after a homeowner in rural Platte County discovered a robbery in progress. The men had stolen goods and burglary equipment in the pickup they were riding in, authorities said.
Dane S. Johnson, 32, and Landon N. Prothro, 30, both of Kansas City, North, were arrested Feb. 10 and charged with one count of first-degree burglary and three counts of second-degree burglary.
Johnson was free on $50,000 bond but was arrested again Friday and charged with another count of first-degree burglary, Hunter said. He was in the Platte County Jail on Friday with a second bond, cash only, set at $50,000.
Besides occupied residences, the suspected burglary ring also apparently struck model homes stocked with new furniture and furnishings, Hunter said.
Some items identified as stolen were found at the Decorator House store in the Eastbrook Plaza shopping center, Hunter said.
“It’s an upscale store with furniture, pictures, decorative plants, vases, large candles and things used for decorative style,” he said.
Police from cities such as Lenexa and Raymore were among those checking items in the store Friday, Hunter said. More agencies were to investigate the store and the articles recovered from the storage lockers and the trailer.