Two armed robberies reported in southwest Lawrence; three suspects in custody

Two armed robberies were reported in southwest Lawrence on Wednesday. Three suspects are in custody, and police say they are still investigating.

The first robbery was reported at 4 p.m. in the 4100 block of West 24th Place, according to the Lawrence Police Department’s activity logs. Four officers responded to the scene.

The address is southwest of the intersection of Clinton Parkway and Crossgate Drive.

The second robbery was reported at 9:24 p.m. in the 1300 block of West 24th Street. Nineteen officers responded to the scene.

That address is southwest of the intersection of West 23rd Street and Naismith Drive.

Lawrence Police Sgt. Amy Rhoads said the two robberies are not believed to be related.

Early Thursday morning three people were arrested in connection to Wednesday’s second robbery, the Douglas County Jail’s online booking logs indicate.

Kenda Jayni Benner, 21, of Lawrence, was arrested at 2:32 a.m. Thursday on suspicion of aggravated robbery, domestic battery, criminal damage to property and aggravated battery. She was arrested at 1301 W. 24th St., which is listed as her residence.

More than two hours later the other two suspects were arrested at the same address.

Preston Jadrien Reece, 22, of Lawrence and Leonte Joseph Mayhew, 21, of Caney, were both arrested on suspicion of two counts of aggravated robbery. The counts of aggravated robbery also indicate the two men may have injured someone during the reported incidents.

Benner, Mayhew and Reece were booked into the Douglas County Jail, where they are currently being held without bond.

Rhoads would not say whether anybody was injured in the robberies, what type of weapons were used or how many suspects investigators are seeking.