RILEY COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a Kansas felon in connection with a series of burglaries.
Just before 11:30p.m. November 7, officers responded to a report of a business alarm activation at Dick’s Sporting Goods, the 400 block of 3rd Place in Manhattan, according to a media release from the Riley County Police Department.
Officers found a shattered window in the front of the business. A short while later, officers responded to a report of criminal damage to property at Walmart in the 100 block of Bluemont Avenue in Manhattan,
The suspect entered the business and stole shotgun shells before leaving. It was determined through the course of the investigation the suspect in the second investigation matched the description of the suspect from the incident at Dick's Sporting Goods.
At 12:41 a.m., on November 8, officers then responded to a report of burglary in the 1400 block of Collins Lane. The victim, a 71-year-old woman, reported Andrew Franklin, 23, of Manhattan, had stolen her car, cellphone, and a handgun.
Officers determined Franklin was responsible for all three incidents and enlisted the help of Officers/Deputies with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Department, Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, and Marysville Police Department. Franklin abandoned the vehicle in Blue Rapids and was later located and apprehended by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department.
Franklin was arrested on November 8, 2024, at approximately 6:33a.m. in the 6200 block of Tuttle Creek Blvd. on requested charges of burglary, criminal damage to property, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary. Total bond was set at $250,000. Franklin has previous convictions for drugs and for battery, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections.