Topekans arrested in auto burglaries

Two Topeka men arrested early Saturday are suspects in a series of automobile burglaries at apartment complexes, Lawrence Police said.

About 5 a.m. Saturday, police received a call about a man prowling around the parking lots at Highpointe apartments, 2001 W. Sixth St. An officer responded and attempted to detain the man but he fled to his car, Sgt. Susan Hadl said.

The suspect attempted to run over the officer but the officer wasn’t hurt, Hadl said.

A short time later, police received another report of a prowler in the 1500 block of Lynch Court at Sundance Apartments. Police found two men and took them in for questioning. They also located the car one of the suspects was driving, Hadl said.

Police thought the suspects broke into at least three vehicles at Highpointe, Hadl said. Police also were investigating the possibility the suspects were involved earlier in the week in auto burglaries at other apartment complexes.

Police

Gunshots fired after family argument

An argument between a brother and a sister Friday night led to gunshots being fired inside a rural residence, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

The brother, 21, was arrested and taken to the Douglas County Jail. His sister, 19, was not injured, Lt. Kathy Tate said.

Shortly before midnight, officers were called to the residence in the 1200 section of North 712 Road, south of Lawrence. The 21-year-old had left the house but was found by officers nearby and taken into custody without incident, Tate said.

Several bullet holes were found in the walls of the house, and officers confiscated a handgun, Tate said.

State

Police chief fired for lack of training

Enterprise (ap) — Police Chief James Bettles has been fired after 24 years with the city because he didn’t prove that he had completed required law-enforcement training.

Bettles was fired Thursday night by the City Council. He had been suspended Jan. 8 after the city learned he had not submitted proof of required training to the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Commission for five years.

All certified law-enforcement officers are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education and training each year.

The city council also approved hiring former police chief Carl McDonald as acting chief of police until a full-time replacement was found.

City Attorney Autumn Fox said the city acted to ensure adequate police enforcement.

Enterprise, a Dickinson County community of about 850 people, is about 85 miles west of Topeka.

Community

Southwest students to give to Lawrence club

Southwest Junior High School students will donate $700 to the Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence.

Members of the school’s student council will present the gift to representatives of the Boys and Girls Club’s board of directors, said Danira Flores, a Southwest Spanish and math teacher and student council sponsor.

She said the donation was being made in honor of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

“We thought it would be a good way to honor Dr. King by supporting an organization we thought he would be proud of,” Flores said.

Council members will present the donation at 7:30 a.m. Monday at the school, 2511 Inverness Drive.