Stolen Vehicle/Recovery/Felon in Possession of Firearm/Drugs

For Immediate Release

Date: January 27, 2023

Contact: Lieutenant Jason Ludwig

Phone: (620) 421-7060

Email: jludwig@parsonspd.com

 

Stolen Vehicle/Recovery/Felon in Possession of Firearm/Drugs

On January 26, 2023, at approximately 6:50 pm, Parsons police officers were called to the 800 block of North 16th Street for a report of a stolen vehicle. The responding officers, K9 Officer Christian Smith and Officer Luke Schibi took the initial report for a stolen 2012 Volkswagen Jetta. Officers learned that there was a firearm in the vehicle at the time it was stolen. Officers began looking for the vehicle and reviewing security footage.

The stolen vehicle was located in the 1600 block of Gabriel Avenue. In a crude attempt to mislead law enforcement, the vehicle had been backed into the driveway. K-9 Officer Smith and Officer Schibi made contact with Brandon Lee Parks, 29 years of age of Parsons. Parks matched the suspect description and was still wearing the same clothing as was seen in security video. Parks was detained at the scene, during which time officers discovered that the firearm, was no longer in the stolen Jetta. Parks had taken the firearm out of the vehicle and took it into the residence. Parks was also found with a quantity of illegal controlled substance as well.

Parks is a convicted felon and is restricted from being in possession of firearms. Parks was recently released from the Kansas Department of Corrections in November of 2022 at the expiration of his sentence for Aggravated Battery in 2018, and a 2014 conviction for Possession of Drug Precursors for Manufacturing. Parks is also a Registered Drug Offender stemming from the drug precursor manufacturing conviction.

Patrol Lieutenant Kyle Wiford said of the arrest, "The time from the theft being reported to the vehicle being located and suspect arrested was less than 2 hours. This is another prime example of our officers investigating and proactively seeking to resolve crime in Parsons. Yes, there are naysayers on social media that will say, "Oh crime is going down huh," and make light of this incident. Yes, crime has gone down, but unfortunately it has not gone down to zero. Our goal and efforts are curbing crime and holding those who commit it responsible for their actions."

Charges of Theft of Motor Vehicle, Theft of a Firearm, Criminal Possession of a Weapon by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Controlled Substance and Violation of Offender Registration are being sought through the County Attorney's Office.

After the arrest, Lt. Kyle Wiford reviewed Parks' registration information and found him to be in violation of one of his registered drug offender requirements. A felony separate case has been filed for this violation as well.

Lt Wiford oversees the Parsons Registered Offender Program (PROP). In 2022, 7 offenders were arrested or had felony charges filed for being in violation of state law. This included 2 registered sex offenders, 1 violent offender and 4 drug offenders. The number of criminal counts filed included 16 counts of aggravated violation of offender registration and 47 counts of offender registration violations.

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, "this is another example of hard working officers doing great police work, being tenacious and ferreting out another felon to be removed from our streets and lodged in jail. Just as important in locating and returning a stolen vehicle is taking another handgun from an ex-con who has no right to possess a firearm."

"As we have been able to recruit and train new officers such as Officer Schibi and others," said Deputy Chief Dennis Dodd, "after our agency like others were cherry picked by the suburban police agencies that were offering higher pay this past year, we are starting to see new highly motivated police officers join our policing ranks. Officer Schibi is one of those highly motivated and dedicated police officer."

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.

Brandon Lee PARKS, 29 years of age of Parsons

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