Burglary Suspect Caught in the Act

               On October 27, 2022, Parsons Police Officers were dispatched to the 2300 block of Stevens for a report of a Burglary in progress.

                Around 9:14 am Sergeant Waylon Kepley was dispatched to the reported burglary after a neighbor called police about suspicious activity at the house. The report indicated that a man dressed in all black had carried a safe out from the house. When Sgt. Kepley arrived, he noticed the back door standing open. While waiting for a backup unit to arrive to enter the house, Sgt. Kepley saw the suspect ride past him on 23rd street on a bicycle pulling a wagon with a safe in it. The neighbor also confirmed that it was the suspect.

                Sgt. Kepley gave chase and with the help of Code Enforcement Officer Tyeler Riggs the suspect was apprehended in the 2200 block of Stevens. Christopher Harold Hilton, 37 of Parsons, was arrested on suspicion of Burglary, Criminal Damage, Theft, and Interference with Law Enforcement. Hilton has an extensive history with theft, burglary, and drug charges.

                Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "this is the revolving door that law enforcement sees daily. This is just one small part of a broken system that lets out offenders with low bonds or even let out on their Own Recognizance (OR) only to reoffend and victimize another innocent citizen. I have often told citizens that we cannot arrest ourselves out of crime, but the courts must meet us halfway and either reform or imprison the ones that we arrest. I sincerely hope that the judicial system makes this criminal answer for his crimes because it is evident that he will not reform on his own. I applaud the citizen who called the police. If it had not been for him using the 'See It, Hear It, Report It' philosophy this case wouldn't have been solved so quickly. I also want to give a thank you to Sgt. Kepley and Tyeler Riggs for their quick and decisive response to the situation as it unfolded."

                Hilton has been transported to the Labette County Jail where he remains until he is seen by a Labette County District Court Judge.

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

# # # # #