MANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - Conversations about create fairer policing within the Riley Co. Police Department (RCPD) date back to 2015.

Talks reignited in late 2019 when Dr. Lorenza Lockett of the Manhattan-Riley County Coalition for Equal Justice (CEJ) approached Captain Josh Kyle about racial disparities in arrest rates in late 2019

“Typically, partnerships like this form after something bad happens,” explained Kyle.

“This one, we were very proactive with and decided it was in our best interest for those concerned about social justice and those within the police department to make recommendations.”

“We’re not speaking against RCPD, we’re speaking in conjunction with RCPD based on what we’ve been told are experienced by members of the community,” Lockett said.

“So it’s about relationship building where you can talk very candidly sweeten the pot say things in a nice way but make sure things can carry the weight that it carries.”

The two organizations decided to work together to work on more equitable policing, forming the Fair and Impartial Policing Working Group.

Monday the group presented their recommendations to the Riley County Police Department Director Dennis Butler to create a more equitable department.

The recommendations are rooted in seven areas of intervention: recruiting, policies, training, leadership accountability, measurements and promoting the FIP group.

Suggestions include increasing funding for community policing and improving police training.

“They’re a work in progress but a lot of what we’re working with come from stories so not just statistics what the community of Manhattan has experienced of individual people who are unsatisfied or scared to come out about the concerns they had,” Lockett said.

Kyle believes the suggestions balance fair policing and community safety.

“We’re an intelligence-led and evidence-based police department that had a little bit of community policing sprinkled in and one of the major recommendations is that community policing needs to become a bigger part of what we do,” he said.

“I believe we can do both, we don’t have to be one or the other you can address crime in an evidence-based fashion while at the same time investing and being part of the community.”

Butler said he thinks the conversations are a move in the right direction.

“A lot of those recommendations are things we’re already working on or I agree with entirely that I think are good recommendations,” he said.

“I’m glad we’re having a meeting of the minds that we’re seeing things the same way.”

FIP members said relationship-building will be key.

“The more contact that people have, the less likely that they’re going to rely on biases in how they think and interact with people and the other thing is counter stereotypes are very important as well,” Kyle said.

“The more people that are encountered into the stereotype that you typically hold The more positive your relationships are going to be.”

“If we can build relationships we can talk about anything if we can respect each other and can appreciate our differences our point of views and what we can find in common,” Lockett added.

Click&nbsp;<a href="http://rileycountypolice.org/FIP?fbclid=IwAR2vuJR2QAC2wg-lnhqQyg5QhrxY6cT5MJggYhr2q3aMvFWNuxsVqA0FMyw" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the FIP’s recommendations.

To contact the group email renz@ksu.edu or rcpd@rileycountypolice.org.

By WIBW's Kimberly DonahueMANHATTAN, Kan. (WIBW) - Conversations about create fairer policing within the Riley Co. Police Department (RCPD) date back to 2015.Talks reignited in late 2019 when Dr. Lorenza Lockett of the Manhattan-Riley County Coalition for Equal Justice (CEJ) approached Captain Josh Kyle about racial disparities in arrest rates in late 2019“Typically, partnerships like this form after something bad happens,” explained Kyle.“This one, we were very proactive with and decided it was in our best interest for those concerned about social justice and those within the police department to make recommendations.”“We’re not speaking against RCPD, we’re speaking in conjunction with RCPD based on what we’ve been told are experienced by members of the community,” Lockett said.“So it’s about relationship building where you can talk very candidly sweeten the pot say things in a nice way but make sure things can carry the weight that it carries.”The two organizations decided to work together to work on more equitable policing, forming the Fair and Impartial Policing Working Group.Monday the group presented their recommendations to the Riley County Police Department Director Dennis Butler to create a more equitable department.The recommendations are rooted in seven areas of intervention: recruiting, policies, training, leadership accountability, measurements and promoting the FIP group.Suggestions include increasing funding for community policing and improving police training.“They’re a work in progress but a lot of what we’re working with come from stories so not just statistics what the community of Manhattan has experienced of individual people who are unsatisfied or scared to come out about the concerns they had,” Lockett said.Kyle believes the suggestions balance fair policing and community safety.“We’re an intelligence-led and evidence-based police department that had a little bit of community policing sprinkled in and one of the major recommendations is that community policing needs to become a bigger part of what we do,” he said.“I believe we can do both, we don’t have to be one or the other you can address crime in an evidence-based fashion while at the same time investing and being part of the community.”Butler said he thinks the conversations are a move in the right direction.“A lot of those recommendations are things we’re already working on or I agree with entirely that I think are good recommendations,” he said.“I’m glad we’re having a meeting of the minds that we’re seeing things the same way.”FIP members said relationship-building will be key.“The more contact that people have, the less likely that they’re going to rely on biases in how they think and interact with people and the other thing is counter stereotypes are very important as well,” Kyle said.“The more people that are encountered into the stereotype that you typically hold The more positive your relationships are going to be.”“If we can build relationships we can talk about anything if we can respect each other and can appreciate our differences our point of views and what we can find in common,” Lockett added.Click&nbsp;<a href="http://rileycountypolice.org/FIP?fbclid=IwAR2vuJR2QAC2wg-lnhqQyg5QhrxY6cT5MJggYhr2q3aMvFWNuxsVqA0FMyw" target="_blank">here</a>&nbsp;to read the FIP’s recommendations.To contact the group email renz@ksu.edu or rcpd@rileycountypolice.org.

Riley Co. PD gets suggestions from Fair Police Group

MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — An 80-year-old southwestern Nebraska woman faces sentencing next month for killing her husband, though she claimed it was in response to years of abuse.

KNOP-TV reports that Lavetta Langdon of McCook will be sentenced July 12. She pleaded no contest to manslaughter earlier this month.

Langdon was arrested in August after police found 79-year-old Larry Langdon shot to death in his bedroom. Lavetta Langdon told investigators that her husband had struck her during a fight over money.

Police said Lavetta Langdon then took a handgun and shot him in the chest.

Lavetta Langdon told police she had been the victim of domestic violence for 30 years.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624375787117.png" alt="Lavetta Langdon" />
 <figcaption>Lavetta Langdon</figcaption>
 </figure>MCCOOK, Neb. (AP) — An 80-year-old southwestern Nebraska woman faces sentencing next month for killing her husband, though she claimed it was in response to years of abuse.KNOP-TV reports that Lavetta Langdon of McCook will be sentenced July 12. She pleaded no contest to manslaughter earlier this month.Langdon was arrested in August after police found 79-year-old Larry Langdon shot to death in his bedroom. Lavetta Langdon told investigators that her husband had struck her during a fight over money.Police said Lavetta Langdon then took a handgun and shot him in the chest.Lavetta Langdon told police she had been the victim of domestic violence for 30 years.

Neb. woman, 80, to be sentenced in July for killing husband

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal April shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Wichita have captured a third suspect. Just after 6p.m. Monday police booked 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer into the Sedgwick County Jail on a bond of $500,000 on requested charges of first degree murder and on over a dozen counts of sexual exploitation of a child, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20071325">according to online jail records.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer.

On April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident including 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita who was shot and killed.

EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.

Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.

Police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of 18-year-old Easton Palmer&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a>&nbsp;both of Wichita. They have been charged with first degree murder&nbsp; aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624361905393.png" alt="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating the fatal April shooting of a 17-year-old boy in Wichita have captured a third suspect. Just after 6p.m. Monday police booked 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer into the Sedgwick County Jail on a bond of $500,000 on requested charges of first degree murder and on over a dozen counts of sexual exploitation of a child, <a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20071325">according to online jail records.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801567819.png" alt="Elliott photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Elliott photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>On April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619547988764.png" alt="Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident." />
 <figcaption>Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident.</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident including 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita who was shot and killed.EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619618101953.png" alt="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of 18-year-old Easton Palmer&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a>&nbsp;both of Wichita. They have been charged with first degree murder&nbsp; aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.---------

Suspect in April robbery, murder of Kan. teen captured

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a stolen vehicle.

Just before 8:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the area of NE Morse and Kansas Avenue in Topeka on reports of gunshots, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. After finding no vehicles there, officers were then sent to the 1900 block of N. Topeka on the report of a stolen vehicle. The two incidents were related and the vehicle’s owner reported being shot at by the suspect when he located his vehicle.

Officers checking the area for the stolen vehicle and located it abandoned in the 1200 block of NW Eugene in Topeka.

 Officers continued checking the area and discovered a residence that appeared to have had entry forced in the 1200 block of NW Jackson. Police located a ma in the home identified as Troy M. Baker, 29, of Topeka. They Bake arrested him on requested charges of Attempted Aggravated Battery, Theft – Motor Vehicle, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property and Criminal Damage, according to Hilton.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624370446840.png" alt="Baker photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Baker photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a stolen vehicle.Just before 8:30a.m. Monday, police were dispatched to the area of NE Morse and Kansas Avenue in Topeka on reports of gunshots, according to Lt. Shane Hilton. After finding no vehicles there, officers were then sent to the 1900 block of N. Topeka on the report of a stolen vehicle. The two incidents were related and the vehicle’s owner reported being shot at by the suspect when he located his vehicle.Officers checking the area for the stolen vehicle and located it abandoned in the 1200 block of NW Eugene in Topeka. Officers continued checking the area and discovered a residence that appeared to have had entry forced in the 1200 block of NW Jackson. Police located a ma in the home identified as Troy M. Baker, 29, of Topeka. They Bake arrested him on requested charges of Attempted Aggravated Battery, Theft – Motor Vehicle, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property and Criminal Damage, according to Hilton.

Suspect shot at Kan. man trying to recover his stolen vehicle 

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an injury accident and have made an arrest.

Just after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received a report of a rollover accident in the 5200 block of Southwest Burlingame Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Upon arrival, deputies located a silver 2005 Volkswagen Jetta facing southbound in the east ditch. 

During the investigation, it was discovered that the Volkswagen was traveling northbound on SW Burlingame Road when it left the roadway to the east, struck a culvert and came to rest upside-down, facing southbound, in the ditch.

EMS transported the driver identified as Jimmy D. Landis, 36, of Topeka, and two juvenile passengers a 6-year-old and 5-year-old to the hospital with serious injuries.

Police later arrested Landis and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated child endangerment, battery of a law enforcement officer, interference with medical personnel, interference with law enforcement, child restraint violations, driving under the influence and driving while suspended.

The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone who may have stopped and assisted with this incident, prior to the arrival of first responders, or anyone with information please call.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624301761061.png" alt="Landis was moved from the hospital to jail following the Father's Day crash" />
 <figcaption>Landis was moved from the hospital to jail following the Father's Day crash</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating an injury accident and have made an arrest.Just after 8:30 p.m. Sunday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communication Center received a report of a rollover accident in the 5200 block of Southwest Burlingame Road, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. Upon arrival, deputies located a silver 2005 Volkswagen Jetta facing southbound in the east ditch. During the investigation, it was discovered that the Volkswagen was traveling northbound on SW Burlingame Road when it left the roadway to the east, struck a culvert and came to rest upside-down, facing southbound, in the ditch.EMS transported the driver identified as Jimmy D. Landis, 36, of Topeka, and two juvenile passengers a 6-year-old and 5-year-old to the hospital with serious injuries.Police later arrested Landis and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of aggravated battery, aggravated child endangerment, battery of a law enforcement officer, interference with medical personnel, interference with law enforcement, child restraint violations, driving under the influence and driving while suspended.The Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone who may have stopped and assisted with this incident, prior to the arrival of first responders, or anyone with information please call.

Sheriff: Kan. man jailed after crash with 2 kids in car

LOS ANGELES —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a member of the Kansas City Chiefs on felony charges after an arrest Sunday&nbsp; in Los Angeles.

Just before 9:30p.m. Sunday, police stopped a vehicle driven by <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/frank-clark/">28-year-old Frank Clark</a> for an alleged code violation, according to online LAPD records.

Officers observed an Uzi in a bag in the vehicle and arrested Clark&nbsp;on a requested charge of a concealed firearm in a vehicle violation. He spent the night in jail and bonded out Monday afternoon.&nbsp;His lawyer says the gun belonged to a bodyguard, according to the Associated Press.

The case will be presented to the LA County Prosecutor's Office.

Clark is in his seventh season as defensive end from the University of Michigan and 2021 is his third season in Kansas City, according to his bio on the team website.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624317438496.png" alt="Image LA County Sheriff's Department" />
 <figcaption>Image LA County Sheriff's Department</figcaption>
 </figure>LOS ANGELES —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a member of the Kansas City Chiefs on felony charges after an arrest Sunday&nbsp; in Los Angeles.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624317639857.png" alt="Frank Clark photo courtesy KC Chiefs" />
 <figcaption>Frank Clark photo courtesy KC Chiefs</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 9:30p.m. Sunday, police stopped a vehicle driven by <a href="https://www.chiefs.com/team/players-roster/frank-clark/">28-year-old Frank Clark</a> for an alleged code violation, according to online LAPD records.Officers observed an Uzi in a bag in the vehicle and arrested Clark&nbsp;on a requested charge of a concealed firearm in a vehicle violation. He spent the night in jail and bonded out Monday afternoon.&nbsp;His lawyer says the gun belonged to a bodyguard, according to the Associated Press.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624317829693.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The case will be presented to the LA County Prosecutor's Office.Clark is in his seventh season as defensive end from the University of Michigan and 2021 is his third season in Kansas City, according to his bio on the team website.

Update: KC Chiefs DE jailed for alleged weapons violation

SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a violent incident at a residence in Saline County.

Just before 3 a.m. Sunday, sheriff's deputies were sent to the 2300 block of S. Midland Road in the rural unincorporated Saline County community of Bavaria for the report of a disturbance that included shots fired, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning.

Deputies interviewed several people who had been at a party at the residence. There were multiple victims in the case including&nbsp; a 29-year-old woman, a 28-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, two juveniles and a 36-year-old woman who witnesses said had been pistol whipped. She suffered facial injuries, according to Melander.

Deputies arrested Ryan Will, 44, of Bavaria on requested charges of aggravated assault, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, endangering a child, Interference with law enforcement and domestic battery

During a search of Will's residence, deputies uncovered two large caliber handguns that had been involved in the incident. Multiple witnesses said that the guns had been fired into the ground, according to Melander and alcohol may have played a part in the incident.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624291400307.png" alt="Ryan Will -photo Saline Co." />
 <figcaption>Ryan Will -photo Saline Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SALINE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after a violent incident at a residence in Saline County.Just before 3 a.m. Sunday, sheriff's deputies were sent to the 2300 block of S. Midland Road in the rural unincorporated Saline County community of Bavaria for the report of a disturbance that included shots fired, according to Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning.Deputies interviewed several people who had been at a party at the residence. There were multiple victims in the case including&nbsp; a 29-year-old woman, a 28-year-old man, a 40-year-old woman, two juveniles and a 36-year-old woman who witnesses said had been pistol whipped. She suffered facial injuries, according to Melander.Deputies arrested Ryan Will, 44, of Bavaria on requested charges of aggravated assault, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, endangering a child, Interference with law enforcement and domestic batteryDuring a search of Will's residence, deputies uncovered two large caliber handguns that had been involved in the incident. Multiple witnesses said that the guns had been fired into the ground, according to Melander and alcohol may have played a part in the incident.

Sheriff: Kansas man accused of violent attack during party

SHAWNEE COUNTY —A jury found a Kansas man guilty&nbsp;Attempted Murder in the First Degree with Premeditation, Aggravated Battery and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, according to Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.

On March 8, 2020, law enforcement responded to the area of 11th&nbsp;and Locust in Topeka in response to a drive-by shooting. 

Officers arrived and located Khalil Austin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Austin was transported to a local hospital where he received treatment. He later told law enforcement that he was walking home when Jackson pulled up in a car, drew a handgun, and began shooting at him as he ran away. Eleven shell casings were located at the scene and it was determined that Austin was ultimately struck by three projectiles. Jackson was located at his mother’s house a few hours later where he was taken into custody and law enforcement recovered the firearm used in the shooting. Law enforcement was also assisted by neighbors who captured the incident on surveillance video from a nearby residence.

The court will set a date for sentencing on&nbsp; June 24, according to the district attorney's office.

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.

Just before 5p.m. Sunday, police responded to the 1100 block of SE Locust in Topeka on a report of a shooting, according to police Lt. John Trimble.&nbsp;

Officers were able to find a victim identified as&nbsp;Khalil I. Austin, 22, Topeka.  at a nearby location suffering from what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital for medical treatment.

On Monday morning, police reported the arrest of a suspect identified as 18-year-old Shardell S. Jackson of Topeka on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated Battery, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm and Criminal Damage to Property.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583780033518.png" alt="Shardell Jackson photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Shardell Jackson photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —A jury found a Kansas man guilty&nbsp;Attempted Murder in the First Degree with Premeditation, Aggravated Battery and Criminal Discharge of a Firearm, according to Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay.On March 8, 2020, law enforcement responded to the area of 11th&nbsp;and Locust in Topeka in response to a drive-by shooting. Officers arrived and located Khalil Austin suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Austin was transported to a local hospital where he received treatment. He later told law enforcement that he was walking home when Jackson pulled up in a car, drew a handgun, and began shooting at him as he ran away. Eleven shell casings were located at the scene and it was determined that Austin was ultimately struck by three projectiles. Jackson was located at his mother’s house a few hours later where he was taken into custody and law enforcement recovered the firearm used in the shooting. Law enforcement was also assisted by neighbors who captured the incident on surveillance video from a nearby residence.The court will set a date for sentencing on&nbsp; June 24, according to the district attorney's office.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1583780033518.png" alt="Shardell Jackson-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Shardell Jackson-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and have a suspect in custody.Just before 5p.m. Sunday, police responded to the 1100 block of SE Locust in Topeka on a report of a shooting, according to police Lt. John Trimble.&nbsp;Officers were able to find a victim identified as&nbsp;Khalil I. Austin, 22, Topeka. at a nearby location suffering from what appeared to be a non-life threatening gunshot wound. EMS transported him to a local hospital for medical treatment.On Monday morning, police reported the arrest of a suspect identified as 18-year-old Shardell S. Jackson of Topeka on requested charges of&nbsp; Aggravated Battery, Criminal Possession of a Firearm, Criminal Discharge of a Firearm and Criminal Damage to Property.

Jury: Kan. man guilty in 2020 drive-by shooting

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged assault and have made an arrest.

Just after 1a.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;filed a report for aggravated assault in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 19-year-old and a 21-year- old told police a 22-year-old male suspect threatened them with a gun outside of Tubby's Sports Bar in Aggieville. 

Police arrested Eugenio Rodriguez, 22, of Ft. Riley on a requested charges aggravated assault. Rodriguez was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer in custody, according to the RCPD.

MANHATTAN —Law enforcement authorities are investigating an alleged assault and have made an arrest.Just after 1a.m. Sunday, police&nbsp;filed a report for aggravated assault in the 1100 block of Moro Street in Manhattan, according to the Riley County Police Department activity report. A 19-year-old and a 21-year- old told police a 22-year-old male suspect threatened them with a gun outside of Tubby's Sports Bar in Aggieville. Police arrested Eugenio Rodriguez, 22, of Ft. Riley on a requested charges aggravated assault. Rodriguez was issued a total bond of $10,000 and is no longer in custody, according to the RCPD.

RCPD: Suspect threatened 2 with a gun in Aggieville

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two Kansas City police officers who are facing assault charges and several lawsuits stemming from a 2019 arrest were also involved in an earlier shooting.

The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article252180953.html">reports&nbsp;</a>that newly released records show that Officers Charles Prichard and Matthew Brummett were involved in a January 2019 shooting during an arrest in which a man was wounded after reaching for one of the officers' guns.

The 2019 shooting was reviewed earlier this year by an internal panel of police officials. It did not recommend any action be taken in response to the shooting, and no charges were filed against the officers in that arrest. The 32-year-old man who was wounded in the arrest later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, attempted stealing and resisting arrest and was placed on probation.

Prichard and Brummett pleaded not guilty last year to felony assault in the arrest of Breona Hill in 2019. Court records say a video of Hill’s arrest showed officers pushing her face into the sidewalk and kneeling on her. They have been on administrative duty since their 2020 indictments and they are scheduled to face trial in that arrest later this year.

Brummett, 38, and Prichard, 48, are also facing lawsuits related to Hill’s arrest and a separate 2019 arrest in which they were accused of hitting a man several times while arresting him.

Community leaders said the events show a pattern of misconduct. The Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, said the officers shouldn’t have been allowed to keep their jobs after these incidents.

“This is totally unacceptable,” Howard said.

Police department officials declined to answer questions about the officers and their conduct last week. Previously, they said they wouldn’t comment on the pending lawsuits.

An attorney representing Prichard and Brummett didn’t respond to calls from the newspaper.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589657213001.png" alt="Image from the video of the arrest of Breona Hill -courtesy KCTV" />
 <figcaption>Image from the video of the arrest of Breona Hill -courtesy KCTV</figcaption>
 </figure>KANSAS CITY (AP) — Two Kansas City police officers who are facing assault charges and several lawsuits stemming from a 2019 arrest were also involved in an earlier shooting.The Kansas City Star&nbsp;<a href="https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/crime/article252180953.html">reports&nbsp;</a>that newly released records show that Officers Charles Prichard and Matthew Brummett were involved in a January 2019 shooting during an arrest in which a man was wounded after reaching for one of the officers' guns.The 2019 shooting was reviewed earlier this year by an internal panel of police officials. It did not recommend any action be taken in response to the shooting, and no charges were filed against the officers in that arrest. The 32-year-old man who was wounded in the arrest later pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, attempted stealing and resisting arrest and was placed on probation.Prichard and Brummett pleaded not guilty last year to felony assault in the arrest of Breona Hill in 2019. Court records say a video of Hill’s arrest showed officers pushing her face into the sidewalk and kneeling on her. They have been on administrative duty since their 2020 indictments and they are scheduled to face trial in that arrest later this year.Brummett, 38, and Prichard, 48, are also facing lawsuits related to Hill’s arrest and a separate 2019 arrest in which they were accused of hitting a man several times while arresting him.Community leaders said the events show a pattern of misconduct. The Rev. Vernon Howard, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Kansas City, said the officers shouldn’t have been allowed to keep their jobs after these incidents.“This is totally unacceptable,” Howard said.Police department officials declined to answer questions about the officers and their conduct last week. Previously, they said they wouldn’t comment on the pending lawsuits.An attorney representing Prichard and Brummett didn’t respond to calls from the newspaper.

2 KC PD officers charged with assault involved in earlier shooting

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Newly released court records say surveillance video has captured a suburban Kansas City day care worker abusing babies more than 170 times, including by shaking and slapping them. 

Twenty-four-year-old Rachel Beth Schrader is on house arrest after she was charged earlier this month in Johnson County District Court with four counts of child abuse. 

The affidavit describes her kicking a child square in the chest in one instance, causing him to fall backward and smack his head. In a police interview, Schrader acknowledged “losing her patience” on Mar. 26, but said that was the only time. Her attorney didn’t immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press on Saturday seeking comment.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624041740593.png" alt="Schrader photo Johnson Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>Schrader photo Johnson Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — Newly released court records say surveillance video has captured a suburban Kansas City day care worker abusing babies more than 170 times, including by shaking and slapping them. Twenty-four-year-old Rachel Beth Schrader is on house arrest after she was charged earlier this month in Johnson County District Court with four counts of child abuse. The affidavit describes her kicking a child square in the chest in one instance, causing him to fall backward and smack his head. In a police interview, Schrader acknowledged “losing her patience” on Mar. 26, but said that was the only time. Her attorney didn’t immediately return a phone message from The Associated Press on Saturday seeking comment.

Surveillance video: Kan. woman abused kids at daycare

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after an incident involving a gun.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m. June 16, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call about a shooting that just occurred in the 2300 block of NE 82nd Street. The caller advised that he and a teenager were threatened with a firearm by a known suspect later identified as 44-year-old Stephen L. Pittman of Topeka.

Deputies arrived on scene and an investigation over the incident ensued with detectives.

Deputies then arrested Pittman&nbsp; and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated endangering a child.

Sheriff Brian Hill reminded&nbsp; citizens that violence is never the answer and to always handle firearms safely and responsibly. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623976456812.png" alt="Pittman photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Pittman photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a Kansas man on multiple charges after an incident involving a gun.Shortly after 4:30 p.m. June 16, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call about a shooting that just occurred in the 2300 block of NE 82nd Street. The caller advised that he and a teenager were threatened with a firearm by a known suspect later identified as 44-year-old Stephen L. Pittman of Topeka.Deputies arrived on scene and an investigation over the incident ensued with detectives.Deputies then arrested Pittman&nbsp; and booked him into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated endangering a child.Sheriff Brian Hill reminded&nbsp; citizens that violence is never the answer and to always handle firearms safely and responsibly.

Kan. man accused of threatening teen with gun

Just before 7p.m. April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.

When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident. One who was fatally shot has been identified as 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801280517.png" alt="Jaron Palmer photo Wichita Police" />
 <figcaption>Jaron Palmer photo Wichita Police</figcaption>
 </figure>SEDGWICK COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities investigating a fatal shooting of a 17-year-old boy continue their search for a third suspect and are asking the public for help to locate 25-year-old Jaron C. Palmer.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619801567819.png" alt="Elliott photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Elliott photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Just before 7p.m. April 25, police were dispatched to report of a shooting at the&nbsp;Morgan's Landing Apartments complex in the 3800 Block of West 13th Street in Wichita, according to Police Captain Jason Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619547988764.png" alt="Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident." />
 <figcaption>Through the investigation, detectives determined the two pictured suspects and possibly other were involved in the incident.</figcaption>
 </figure>When officers arrived, they learned there were five individuals inside the apartment at the time of the incident. One who was fatally shot has been identified as 17-year-old Eric Stokes of Wichita.EMS transported a second shooting victim identified as a 17-year-old boy to a local hospital. He was treated for minor injuries and released, according to Stephens.Investigators learned that three unknown, armed suspects arrived at the apartment, forced their way in and fired several shots that killed Stokes.&nbsp; The suspects fled on foot from the apartment complex.&nbsp; It was not a random incident and drugs are believed to have played a part, according to Stephens.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/4/1619618101953.png" alt="Palmer photo Sedgwick County" />
 <figcaption>Palmer photo Sedgwick County</figcaption>
 </figure>Police released a video of two suspects involved in the homicide.&nbsp; After the release, police received numerous tips from the community, which led to the identification and arrest of 18-year-old Easton Palmer&nbsp; and&nbsp;<a href="https://ssc.sedgwickcounty.org/sheriffinmates/SheriffInmateDetail.aspx?nameId=20070532">18-year-old Breckyn I. Elliot</a>&nbsp;both of Wichita. They have been charged with first degree murder&nbsp; aggravated robbery, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.---------

Search continues for suspect in murder, robbery of Kan. teen

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.

Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Topeka Fire Department responded to the report of a person squirting lighter fluid all over an apartment in a domestic situation at the Jackson Towers Apartments, 1122 SW Jackson Street, according to department spokesman Alan Stahl.

Upon arrival, fire crews found the apartment evacuated, but no fire. The incident commander requested an investigator, and the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshall responded to the scene.

After interviewing the victim and collecting evidence at the scene, it was determined there was enough probable cause to arrest the suspect identified as 53-year-old Carl Lester for the crime of Attempted Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Assault.

Police located Lester&nbsp; later in the day and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623979914148.png" alt="Lester-photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Lester-photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.Just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, the Topeka Fire Department responded to the report of a person squirting lighter fluid all over an apartment in a domestic situation at the Jackson Towers Apartments, 1122 SW Jackson Street, according to department spokesman Alan Stahl.Upon arrival, fire crews found the apartment evacuated, but no fire. The incident commander requested an investigator, and the Office of the Kansas State Fire Marshall responded to the scene.After interviewing the victim and collecting evidence at the scene, it was determined there was enough probable cause to arrest the suspect identified as 53-year-old Carl Lester for the crime of Attempted Aggravated Arson and Aggravated Assault.Police located Lester&nbsp; later in the day and arrested him without incident. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Fire Marshal: Kan. man squirted lighter fluid all over apartment

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.

The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.

Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.

Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.

The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.

According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.

For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.

James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”

The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.

Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.

According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.

The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.

“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”

In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.

And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Female soldiers at Army bases in Kansas, Texas, Colorado and Kentucky face a greater risk of sexual assault and harassment than those at other posts, accounting for more than a third of all active-duty Army women sexually assaulted in 2018, according to a new Rand Corp. study.The study, released Friday, looked at Army incidents, and found that female soldiers at&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/texas-army-8af5fb1707e06948a46823a79ab1aed7">Fort Hood</a>&nbsp;and Fort Bliss, both in Texas, faced the highest risk, particularly those in combat commands or jobs such as field artillery and engineering. And units with more frequent deployments to war also saw higher risk. Other bases with high risk were Fort Riley in Kansas, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Carson in Colorado said the study which reviewed assault data from previous years.Rand’s study provides greater detail on the rates of sexual assault and misconduct across the Army, a chronic problem that&nbsp;<a href="vhttps://apnews.com/article/army-sexual-assault-only-on-ap-texas-ee794a62777083fd634bd08d4f16f313" target="_blank">military leaders have been struggling to combat</a>. And it comes a year after the killing of Spc. Vanessa Guillén, who was missing at Fort Hood for about two months before her remains were found late last June.Guillen was killed by a soldier, who her family says sexually harassed her, and who killed himself as police sought to arrest him. Her death&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/criminal-investigations-army-sexual-assault-crime-violent-crime-01f74af3f2e8498685c57237bf3e4615">put a spotlight on violence and leadership problems</a>&nbsp;within the Army. The Rand report also confirmed one of the Army’s conclusions about the impact of command climate, finding a lower risk of sexual misconduct in units with more positive supervisor scores.The Fort Hood violence prompted an independent review which found that military leaders were not adequately dealing with high rates of sexual assault and harassment at the post. Christopher Swecker, the chairman of the review panel, told Congress that the base leaders were focused on military readiness and completely neglected the sexual assault prevention program. As a result, he said, lower-level unit commanders didn’t encourage service members to report assaults, and in many cases were shaming victims.According to the Rand study, the risk of assault for women at Fort Hood was nearly a third higher than the average risk faced by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/us-news-health-coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-5702e3a822dd841a06d0b10bcea898a3">all women in the Army</a>. Overall, Rand said that the risk across the Army varied widely depending on the female soldiers’ base, unit, career field, age, and even whether they were at posts with a higher number of civilians.For example, female soldiers in medical or personnel jobs have the lowest risk, while those in field artillery face the highest risk. Field artillery jobs were among some of the last Army combat specialties opened to women — coming in 2015. Other jobs that lagged behind were infantry, armor and special operations.James A. Helis, director of the Army Resilience Directorate, said the study “sheds light on the environmental and occupational factors that contribute to the risk of sexual assault and sexual harassment for our soldiers and, in turn, will help inform future prevention and response efforts.”The report used earlier Rand studies as well as data from Defense Department anonymous surveys in 2016 and 2018 that seek information about sexual assaults and harassment that may or may not have been formally reported. And it compared that to other military personnel and demographic data.Soldiers assigned to the Washington, D.C. region, meanwhile, have some of the lowest risk totals, with the Pentagon showing the lowest of all installations listed. Among the bases with the lowest reported risk were Fort Belvoir, in northern Virginia, and Fort George G. Meade and the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in Maryland.According to the study, an estimated 8.4% — or about 1 in 12 — of the roughly 5,883 Army women who served at Fort Hood were sexually assaulted, while at the Pentagon it was 1.8%, or about one in 50. The study noted, however, that the difference is not surprising considering that it’s likely that women at the Pentagon are, on average, older, more senior-ranking and more highly educated. They also are more likely to be working with older and more senior-ranking men.The report said that the data can be used to help the Army tailor prevention and other programs to better counter sexual assault in the ranks.“These findings provide the Army with increased visibility on where exactly risk is consistently high for sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Jenna Newman, social science advisor at the resilience directorate and the Army’s project lead for the study. “It suggests there are location-specific concerns that require targeted interventions into climate and culture and will require additional research to understand.”In the wake of the Guillen killing and a spike in suicides last year, Army leaders launched a program in October that focuses on the wellbeing of soldiers and their families, specifically making people the Army’s top priority, overtaking combat readiness and weapons modernization.And the Sergeant Major of the Army, Michael Grinston, the top enlisted soldier, began a campaign called “This is My Squad” to build unit cohesion and encourage soldiers to look after each other. The broader effort also is aimed at improving the command climate in units, since poor leadership was identified as a significant problem at Fort Hood.

Study: Kan., Texas bases lead Army posts in risk of sex assault

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

A Salina man was arrested in connection to two business burglaries Thursday.

An officer was sent to the property being renovated for The Original Grande, 1019 E. Crawford Street on Thursday for the report of a burglary, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 A representative of JRI Commercial Properties told police that someone had busted in the temporary plywood door and taken several items including a worksite radio and two safety harnesses.

The reporting party also told police that someone had broken into the Freddy's Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers that is being constructed at 916 E. Crawford Street in Salina. Copper wire was ripped out and whoever was there injured himself as blood was found at that location, according to Forrester.

The officer checked a neighboring business that had video surveillance of the area and found that at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday a male wearing a backpack, hat, and shorts was seen stuffing the stolen radio into a black trash bag, Forrester said. The officer recognized the individual, who was identified as Merelyn Hendricks, 57, of Salina.

At approximately 11 a.m. Thursday, that same officer located Hendricks in front of the Verizon store at 1200 E. Crawford Street. Hendricks was in possession of the black trash bag and the worksite radio, Forrester said. When Hendricks was searched, a personal use amount of marijuana was found, Forrester added.

Police arrested Hendricks on requested charges that include&nbsp;burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia

The total of the items stolen and the damage done was just under $1,000, Forrester said. The items were returned to their rightful owner.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1624024167385.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Hendricks has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections-Photo Saline Co. Jail" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Hendricks has three previous drug convictions, according to the Kansas Department of Corrections-Photo Saline Co. Jail</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina man was arrested in connection to two business burglaries Thursday.An officer was sent to the property being renovated for The Original Grande, 1019 E. Crawford Street on Thursday for the report of a burglary, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. A representative of JRI Commercial Properties told police that someone had busted in the temporary plywood door and taken several items including a worksite radio and two safety harnesses.The reporting party also told police that someone had broken into the Freddy's Frozen Custard &amp; Steakburgers that is being constructed at 916 E. Crawford Street in Salina. Copper wire was ripped out and whoever was there injured himself as blood was found at that location, according to Forrester.The officer checked a neighboring business that had video surveillance of the area and found that at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday a male wearing a backpack, hat, and shorts was seen stuffing the stolen radio into a black trash bag, Forrester said. The officer recognized the individual, who was identified as Merelyn Hendricks, 57, of Salina.At approximately 11 a.m. Thursday, that same officer located Hendricks in front of the Verizon store at 1200 E. Crawford Street. Hendricks was in possession of the black trash bag and the worksite radio, Forrester said. When Hendricks was searched, a personal use amount of marijuana was found, Forrester added.Police arrested Hendricks on requested charges that include&nbsp;burglary, theft, criminal damage to property, Possession of marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernaliaThe total of the items stolen and the damage done was just under $1,000, Forrester said. The items were returned to their rightful owner.

Video helps police catch Kansas felon for burglary

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.

Just before 5:00 P.M. on June 15, the Topeka Fire Department responded to a possible bedroom fire at 3626 SW Chelsea Drive, according to department spokesperson Alan Stahl. 

Upon arrival, fire crews found a small amount of smoke in an upstairs bedroom from a firework discharge. An investigator was called to the scene, and after an initial investigation, he arrested 20-year-old Johnathan Enquist for Attempted Aggravated Arson. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623979431101.png" alt="Enquist photo Shawnee Co." />
 <figcaption>Enquist photo Shawnee Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating a fire and have made an arrest.Just before 5:00 P.M. on June 15, the Topeka Fire Department responded to a possible bedroom fire at 3626 SW Chelsea Drive, according to department spokesperson Alan Stahl. Upon arrival, fire crews found a small amount of smoke in an upstairs bedroom from a firework discharge. An investigator was called to the scene, and after an initial investigation, he arrested 20-year-old Johnathan Enquist for Attempted Aggravated Arson. He was booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections.

Kan. man accused of arson after firework starts fire

HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;two individuals for alleged possession of drugs and for intent to distribute

Just after midnight Thursday, a deputy from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Kwik Shop in the 500 block of Dean Street in Burrton on a suspicious persons report, according to a media release.

Upon arrival, the sheriff’s deputy found Dean and Nichols doing mechanical repairs on their vehicle in the parking lot. The individuals gave conflicting stories to the deputy, including fictitious identifying information.

The Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was dispatched to the scene to conduct a free air search. K-9 Odie indicated drugs were present inside the vehicle, determining probable cause.

Deputies found about 500 grams of methamphetamine, 19 grams of heroin, more than 100 pills of Fentanyl, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, and stolen identification cards in the vehicle.

They arrested David Wayne Dean, 39, and Cassie Jo Nichols, 39, both of Erie, Pennsylvania. They are being held in the Harvey County Detention Center. Both are being held on $50,000 bonds.

The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $11,000.

The Harvey County Attorney’s Office has charged both Dean and Nichols with one count each of distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of Fentanyl, distribution of heroin, and possession of paraphernalia. 

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623966315889.png" alt="The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $11,000. photo Harvey Co. Sheriff" />
 <figcaption>The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $11,000. photo Harvey Co. Sheriff</figcaption>
 </figure>HARVEY COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating&nbsp;two individuals for alleged possession of drugs and for intent to distributeJust after midnight Thursday, a deputy from the Harvey County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Kwik Shop in the 500 block of Dean Street in Burrton on a suspicious persons report, according to a media release.Upon arrival, the sheriff’s deputy found Dean and Nichols doing mechanical repairs on their vehicle in the parking lot. The individuals gave conflicting stories to the deputy, including fictitious identifying information.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623966347127.png" alt="Dean photo Harvey Co." />
 <figcaption>Dean photo Harvey Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit was dispatched to the scene to conduct a free air search. K-9 Odie indicated drugs were present inside the vehicle, determining probable cause.Deputies found about 500 grams of methamphetamine, 19 grams of heroin, more than 100 pills of Fentanyl, miscellaneous drug paraphernalia, and stolen identification cards in the vehicle.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623966283180.png" alt="Nichols photo Harvey Co." />
 <figcaption>Nichols photo Harvey Co.</figcaption>
 </figure>They arrested David Wayne Dean, 39, and Cassie Jo Nichols, 39, both of Erie, Pennsylvania. They are being held in the Harvey County Detention Center. Both are being held on $50,000 bonds.The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $11,000.The Harvey County Attorney’s Office has charged both Dean and Nichols with one count each of distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of Fentanyl, distribution of heroin, and possession of paraphernalia.

Kan. deputies find couple with Fentanyl, $11K worth of meth

A Salina woman was scammed out of nearly $3,000 by a caller claiming she had an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty.

A 27-year-old woman received a call at work Tuesday night from a man claiming to be from the sheriff's department, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester.

 The man told her that she had a warrant for her arrest because she missed jury duty and that there was a $2,300 bond.

The caller convinced the woman that if she hung up, she would be arrested, but if she stayed on the line, he could take care of the bond over the phone, Forrester said. 

The caller told the woman to purchase pre-paid gift cards and provide the numbers on the cards to him. She purchased three cards at Walmart and two at a Dollar General.

She then provided the numbers to the man and was told to break the cards in half and mail them and the receipt to the City-County Building, Forrester said.

The man called her back and said there were some additional fees. She ended up transferring another $860 to the caller, Forrester said.

Forrester wants the public to be alert to calls such as those the woman received. He said it is important to remember that the sheriff's office will not collect bond money over the phone and does not take gift cards.

By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostA Salina woman was scammed out of nearly $3,000 by a caller claiming she had an outstanding warrant for missing jury duty.A 27-year-old woman received a call at work Tuesday night from a man claiming to be from the sheriff's department, according to Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester. The man told her that she had a warrant for her arrest because she missed jury duty and that there was a $2,300 bond.The caller convinced the woman that if she hung up, she would be arrested, but if she stayed on the line, he could take care of the bond over the phone, Forrester said. The caller told the woman to purchase pre-paid gift cards and provide the numbers on the cards to him. She purchased three cards at Walmart and two at a Dollar General.She then provided the numbers to the man and was told to break the cards in half and mail them and the receipt to the City-County Building, Forrester said.The man called her back and said there were some additional fees. She ended up transferring another $860 to the caller, Forrester said.Forrester wants the public to be alert to calls such as those the woman received. He said it is important to remember that the sheriff's office will not collect bond money over the phone and does not take gift cards.

Sheriff: Kansas woman lost $3,000 in jury duty scam

Bond has been set at $1 million cash or surety for Willie Powell Jr., 21, Grandview Plaza. Powell was arrested last Saturday on the requested charge of Second Degree Murder stemming from the Friday shooting death of LaVincent Perdue, 23, Grandview Plaza. Perdue was a Ft. Riley soldier.

The shooting incident happened in&nbsp; the 700 block of West Sixth Street in Junction City.&nbsp;

According to the County Attorney's Office bond was set for Powell and a status hearing has been scheduled in the case for June 24th at 9 a.m.

Bond has been set at $1 million cash or surety for Willie Powell Jr., 21, Grandview Plaza. Powell was arrested last Saturday on the requested charge of Second Degree Murder stemming from the Friday shooting death of LaVincent Perdue, 23, Grandview Plaza. Perdue was a Ft. Riley soldier.The shooting incident happened in&nbsp; the 700 block of West Sixth Street in Junction City.&nbsp;According to the County Attorney's Office bond was set for Powell and a status hearing has been scheduled in the case for June 24th at 9 a.m.

Bond is set at $1 million for the defendant in a Geary County case

GENEVA (AP) —Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin of Russia spent more than three hours discussing issues Wednesday at their summit in Geneva. They ticked through their respective lists so quickly and in such “excruciating detail,” Biden says, that they looked at each other and thought, “OK, what next?”

The most pressing issues the leaders discussed:

Biden and Putin agreed to return their respective ambassadors to Washington and Moscow in a bid to improve badly deteriorated diplomatic relations between their countries.

Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, left Washington in March amid a row after Biden called Putin a killer in a television interview and imposed new sanctions on Russia over its treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.

John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, flew out of Moscow in April after public suggestions from Russian officials that he should leave to mirror Antonov’s departure.

Both ambassadors were present at Wednesday’s summit.

Putin also said the Russian foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department would begin consultations on other vexing diplomatic issues, including the closures of consulates in both countries and the employment status of Russian citizens working for U.S. missions in Russia.

A senior Biden administration official said Sullivan is likely to return to Moscow next week. A different senior administration official said both governments had begun discussing consulate and local staff issues and the hope was an agreement could be reached in the next two months.

Neither administration official was authorized to comment publicly by name and both spoke on condition of anonymity.

No breakthroughs on this issue were announced, but the leaders agreed to at least talk about what has become a major source of conflict between the U.S. and Russia.

Biden said he and Putin agreed to have their experts work out an understanding about what types of critical infrastructure would be off-limits to cyberattacks. He said the U.S. presented Russia with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors" target="_blank">16 specific types of infrastructure,</a>&nbsp;including energy, elections, banking and water systems, and the defense industry.

The agreement comes amid a flood of ransomware attacks against U.S. businesses and government agencies, including one in May that disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast for nearly a week. The disruption was blamed on a criminal gang operating out of Russia, which does not extradite suspects to the U.S.

Other serious incidents include the SolarWinds intrusion discovered last year in which hackers, believed by U.S. authorities to be Russian, penetrated multiple U.S. government networks and prompted Biden to impose additional U.S. sanctions against Russia.

Biden said the U.S. and Russian governments would follow up on certain criminal cases, an apparent reference to cybercriminals operating with impunity from Russian territory.

Putin agreed there is mutual interest in the subject.

Biden also made an implicit threat against Russia, saying the U.S. has “significant cyber capability” it could use against Russia if it were to interfere with U.S. critical infrastructure.

Biden and Putin instructed their diplomats to begin laying the groundwork for a new phase of arms control.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/16/u-s-russia-presidential-joint-statement-on-strategic-stability/" target="_blank">“strategic stability dialogue”&nbsp;</a>would be a series of discussions designed to set the table for a negotiation by sorting out what exactly should be negotiated. More broadly, it would aim to reduce the risk of war between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.

Biden said the goal is to work with Russia on “a mechanism that can lead to control of new and dangerous and sophisticated weapons that are coming on the scene now, that reduce the time for response, that raise the prospect of accidental war.” He said this was discussed in detail.

No date was announced for the start of talks.

The basic idea is to identify and sort out the many areas of disagreement over what a future arms control treaty should address. It also would address ways to avoid unintended or accidental moves that could trigger war.

Shortly after Biden took office in January, he and Putin agreed to extend until 2026 the New START treaty that limits long-range nuclear weapons. The challenge now is to work out what a potential follow-on pact would include.

The Russians insist it include defensive weapons, such as U.S. missile defense systems. The Americans argue that it should include so-called tactical nuclear weapons, which are not covered by New START and of which the Russians have a far larger number deployed. It might also include new and emerging technologies such as hypersonic missiles and space weaponry.

Biden said he raised with Putin the plight of two Americans detained in Russia.

Putin had opened the door to possible discussions about a prisoner swap with the U.S. and said those conversations would continue. Biden said he would follow up, too.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623857775069.png" alt="The meeting in a book-lined room had a somewhat awkward beginning — both men appeared to avoid looking directly at each other during a brief and chaotic photo opportunity before a scrum of jostling reporters.-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>The meeting in a book-lined room had a somewhat awkward beginning — both men appeared to avoid looking directly at each other during a brief and chaotic photo opportunity before a scrum of jostling reporters.-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>GENEVA (AP) —Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin of Russia spent more than three hours discussing issues Wednesday at their summit in Geneva. They ticked through their respective lists so quickly and in such “excruciating detail,” Biden says, that they looked at each other and thought, “OK, what next?”The most pressing issues the leaders discussed:AMBASSADORSBiden and Putin agreed to return their respective ambassadors to Washington and Moscow in a bid to improve badly deteriorated diplomatic relations between their countries.Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Anatoly Antonov, left Washington in March amid a row after Biden called Putin a killer in a television interview and imposed new sanctions on Russia over its treatment of opposition figure Alexei Navalny.John Sullivan, the U.S. ambassador to Russia, flew out of Moscow in April after public suggestions from Russian officials that he should leave to mirror Antonov’s departure.Both ambassadors were present at Wednesday’s summit.Putin also said the Russian foreign ministry and the U.S. State Department would begin consultations on other vexing diplomatic issues, including the closures of consulates in both countries and the employment status of Russian citizens working for U.S. missions in Russia.A senior Biden administration official said Sullivan is likely to return to Moscow next week. A different senior administration official said both governments had begun discussing consulate and local staff issues and the hope was an agreement could be reached in the next two months.Neither administration official was authorized to comment publicly by name and both spoke on condition of anonymity.___CYBERSECURITYNo breakthroughs on this issue were announced, but the leaders agreed to at least talk about what has become a major source of conflict between the U.S. and Russia.Biden said he and Putin agreed to have their experts work out an understanding about what types of critical infrastructure would be off-limits to cyberattacks. He said the U.S. presented Russia with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cisa.gov/critical-infrastructure-sectors" target="_blank">16 specific types of infrastructure,</a>&nbsp;including energy, elections, banking and water systems, and the defense industry.The agreement comes amid a flood of ransomware attacks against U.S. businesses and government agencies, including one in May that disrupted fuel supplies along the East Coast for nearly a week. The disruption was blamed on a criminal gang operating out of Russia, which does not extradite suspects to the U.S.Other serious incidents include the SolarWinds intrusion discovered last year in which hackers, believed by U.S. authorities to be Russian, penetrated multiple U.S. government networks and prompted Biden to impose additional U.S. sanctions against Russia.Biden said the U.S. and Russian governments would follow up on certain criminal cases, an apparent reference to cybercriminals operating with impunity from Russian territory.Putin agreed there is mutual interest in the subject.Biden also made an implicit threat against Russia, saying the U.S. has “significant cyber capability” it could use against Russia if it were to interfere with U.S. critical infrastructure.___NUCLEAR WEAPONSBiden and Putin instructed their diplomats to begin laying the groundwork for a new phase of arms control.The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/06/16/u-s-russia-presidential-joint-statement-on-strategic-stability/" target="_blank">“strategic stability dialogue”&nbsp;</a>would be a series of discussions designed to set the table for a negotiation by sorting out what exactly should be negotiated. More broadly, it would aim to reduce the risk of war between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.Biden said the goal is to work with Russia on “a mechanism that can lead to control of new and dangerous and sophisticated weapons that are coming on the scene now, that reduce the time for response, that raise the prospect of accidental war.” He said this was discussed in detail.No date was announced for the start of talks.The basic idea is to identify and sort out the many areas of disagreement over what a future arms control treaty should address. It also would address ways to avoid unintended or accidental moves that could trigger war.Shortly after Biden took office in January, he and Putin agreed to extend until 2026 the New START treaty that limits long-range nuclear weapons. The challenge now is to work out what a potential follow-on pact would include.The Russians insist it include defensive weapons, such as U.S. missile defense systems. The Americans argue that it should include so-called tactical nuclear weapons, which are not covered by New START and of which the Russians have a far larger number deployed. It might also include new and emerging technologies such as hypersonic missiles and space weaponry.___PRISONER EXCHANGEBiden said he raised with Putin the plight of two Americans detained in Russia.Putin had opened the door to possible discussions about a prisoner swap with the U.S. and said those conversations would continue. Biden said he would follow up, too.The U.S. is holding two prisoners whose release Russia has sought for more than a decade, including arms trader Viktor Bout. The other is Konstantin Yaroshenko, a pilot who was extradited from Liberia in 2010 and convicted the next year of conspiracy to smuggle cocaine into the U.S.Biden said Americans Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed are being “wrongfully imprisoned” in Russia.Whelan, who also holds Canadian, Irish and British citizenship, was arrested in Moscow in 2018, convicted of espionage and sentenced to 16 years. Whelan says he was just visiting Moscow.Reed was convicted of assaulting a police officer while intoxicated and sentenced to nine years. Putin, in a recent interview with NBC News, called Reed a “drunk and a troublemaker.”___HUMAN RIGHTSBiden said he’ll continue to air with Putin concerns about basic human rights because it is a core tenet of what the United States stands for.Biden said he couldn’t be president of the United States and not raise human rights issues during the summit with Putin. He mentioned the internationally publicized case of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.But Putin said Navalny got what he deserved when he was handed a stiff prison sentence. Navalny is Putin’s most ardent political foe. He was arrested in January after returning to Russia from Germany, where he’d spent five months recovering from nerve agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin. Russian officials deny involvement in Nalvany’s poisoning.Navalny received a 30-month prison sentence for violating terms of a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction he dismissed a politically motivated.___SYRIABiden pressed Putin to drop a push to close the last international humanitarian crossing into Syria, making clear the matter was of “significant importance” to the U.S.No deal was reached to keep it open, however.Russia is threatening to use its U.N. Security Council veto to close the aid route for millions of Syrians internally displaced by that country’s war.___AFGHANISTAN and IRANBiden said Putin asked about Afghanistan and expressed a desire that peace and security be maintained there. Biden said he told Putin that a lot of that will depend on him, and that Putin indicated he was prepared to “help” on Afghanistan as well as on Iran.Biden declined to go into further detail. Biden’s administration is mounting new efforts to get Iran to comply with the terms of a nuclear deal it had once agreed to before Biden’s predecessor, Donald Trump, withdrew the U.S. from the agreement the U.S. and other world powers struck with Iran in 2015.Putin also talked about preventing a resurgence of terrorist violence in Afghanistan. Biden said it would be very much in Russia’s interest to not see that happen.___<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/6/1623845475995.png" alt="Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden as their summit begins in Geneva-image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Joe Biden as their summit begins in Geneva-image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>GENEVA (AP) — President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded their summit on Wednesday with an agreement to return their nations' ambassadors to their posts in Washington and Moscow and a plan to begin work toward replacing the last remaining treaty between the two countries limiting nuclear weapons.But the two leaders offered starkly different views on difficult simmering issues including cyber and ransomware attacks originating from Russia.Putin insisted anew that his country has nothing to do with such attacks, despite U..S. intelligence that indicates otherwise. Biden, meanwhile, said that he made clear to Putin that if Russia crossed certain red lines — including going after major American infrastructure — his administration would respond and “the consequences of that would be devastating,”Will Putin change his behavior? Biden was asked at a post-summit news conference.“I said what will change their behavior is if the rest of the world reacts” in a way that “diminishes their standing in the world," Biden said. "I’m not confident of anything. I’m just stating a fact.”Both leaders, who have stirred escalating tension since Biden took office in January, suggested that while an enormous chasm between the two nations remains the talks were constructive.Putin said there was “no hostility” during three hours of talks, a session that wrapped up more quickly than expected.When it was over, Putin had first crack at describing the results at a solo news conference, with Biden following soon after. Biden said they spent a “great deal of time” discussing cybersecurity and he believed Putin understood the U.S. position.“I pointed out to him, we have significant cyber capability," Biden said. "In fact, (if) they violate basic norms, we will respond. ... I think that the last thing he wants now is a Cold War.”Putin noted that Biden raised human rights issues with him, including the fate of opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Putin defended Navalny’s prison sentence and deflected repeated questions about mistreatment of Russian opposition leaders by highlighting U.S. domestic turmoil, including the Black Lives Matter protests and the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.Putin held forth for nearly an hour before international reporters. While showing defiance at queries about Biden pressing him on human rights, he also expressed respect for Biden as an experienced political leader.The Russian noted that Biden repeated wise advice his mother had given him and also spoke about his family — messaging that Putin said might not have been entirely relevant to their summit but demonstrated Biden's “moral values.” Though he raised doubt that the U.S.-Russia relationship could soon return to a measure of equilibrium of years past, Putin suggested that Biden was someone he could work with.“The meeting was actually very efficient,” Putin said. “It was substantive, it was specific. It was aimed at achieving results, and one of them was pushing back the frontiers of trust.”Putin said he and Biden agreed to begin negotiations on nuclear talks to potentially replace the New START treaty limiting nuclear weapons after it expires in 2026.Washington broke off talks with Moscow in 2014 in response to Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea and its military intervention in support of separatists in eastern Ukraine. Talks resumed in 2017 but gained little traction and failed to produce an agreement on extending the New START treaty during the Trump administration.The Russian president said there was an agreement between the leaders to return their ambassadors to their respective postings. Both countries had pulled back their top envoys to Washington and Moscow as relations chilled in recent months.Russia’s ambassador to the U.S., Anatoly Antonov, was recalled from Washington about three months ago after Biden called Putin a killer; U.S. Ambassador to Russia John Sullivan left Moscow almost two months ago, after Russia suggested he return to Washington for consultations. Putin said that the ambassadors were expected to return their posts in the coming days.The meeting in a book-lined room had a somewhat awkward beginning — both men appeared to avoid looking directly at each other during a brief and chaotic photo opportunity before a scrum of jostling reporters.Biden nodded when a reporter asked if Putin could be trusted, but the White House quickly sent out a tweet insisting that the president was “very clearly not responding to any one question, but nodding in acknowledgment to the press generally.”Their body language, at least in their brief moments together in front of the press, was not exceptionally warm.The two leaders did shake hands — Biden extended his hand first and smiled at the stoic Russian leader — after Swiss President Guy Parmelin welcomed them to Switzerland for the summit. When they were in front of the cameras a few minutes later—this time inside the grand lakeside mansion where the summit was held—they seemed to avoid eye contact.For months, Biden and Putin have traded sharp rhetoric. Biden has repeatedly called out Putin for malicious cyberattacks by Russian-based hackers on U.S. interests, for the jailing of Russia's foremost opposition leader and for interference in American elections.Putin has reacted with whatabout-isms and denials — pointing to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol to argue that the U.S. has no business lecturing on democratic norms and insisting that the Russian government hasn't been involved in any election interference or cyberattacks despite U.S. intelligence showing otherwise.In advance of Wednesday's meeting, both sides set out to lower expectations.Even so, Biden said it would be an important step if the United States and Russia were able to ultimately find “stability and predictability" in their relationship, a significant goal for a president who sees Russia as one of America's crucial adversaries.Arrangements for the meeting were carefully choreographed and vigorously negotiated.Biden first floated the meeting in an April phone call in which he informed Putin that he would be expelling several Russian diplomats and imposing sanctions against dozens of people and companies, part of an effort to hold the Kremlin accountable for interference in last year’s presidential election and the hacking of federal agencies.The White House announced ahead of the summit that Biden wouldn't hold a joint news conference with Putin, deciding it did not want to appear to elevate Putin at a moment when the U.S. president is urging European allies to pressure Putin to cut out myriad provocations.Biden sees himself with few peers on foreign policy. He traveled the globe as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and was given difficult foreign policy assignments by President Barack Obama when Biden was vice president. His portfolio included messy spots like Iraq and Ukraine and weighing the mettle of China's Xi Jinping during his rise to power.He has repeatedly said that he believes executing effective foreign policy comes from forming strong personal relations, and he has managed to find rapport with both the likes of Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom Biden has labeled an “autocrat,” and more conventional Western leaders including Canada's Justin Trudeau.But with Putin, who he once said has “no soul," Biden has long been wary. At the same time, he acknowledges that Putin, who has remained the most powerful figure in Russian politics over the span of five U.S. presidents, is not without talent.“He’s bright. He’s tough," Biden said earlier this week. “And I have found that he is a — as they say ... a worthy adversary."