In the last two months, the Gazette has reported on four armed robberies in Emporia, the two most recent of which took place just last weekend. And that’s to say nothing of the previous part of 2010 which also saw an above average number of armed robberies in a town that, for most who live here, has always been considered a safe place to live.
Apparently, the increase in robberies and aggravated robberies is following the national trend, where a struggling economy makes people desperate.
But we think Emporia Police Chief Gary Smith said it best when asked about what’s behind the increase in robberies: “It has a lot to do with stupidity,” he said. “For what little they may get, they get put away for a long time.”
Well said, Chief. Is the potential for a little cash really worth the price a person will pay for such a crime?
Take, for example, the three individuals suspected of robbing an employee at gunpoint at Burger King on Dec. 26. We have to wonder what the three of them were thinking.
• Did they know that when they held the Burger King employee at gunpoint they were committing aggravated robbery, a level three felony that carries three to five years in prison?
• Did they know that when they moved the manager and the employee into the restaurant’s walk-in cooler that they just asked for more prison time? It’s called simple kidnapping, a felony that can add several years in prison.
• As for the two older men, did they know that involving a juvenile in the crime also carries serious consequences?
• As for the 17-year-old, did he know that those level three felonies will be on his record?
Thanks to a local government that has zero tolerance for this kind of criminal activity, now the men face multiple charges including aggravated robbery, kidnapping, arson, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery and contributing to a child’s misconduct to commit felony. Two are in jail in lieu of $100,000 bonds. The 17-year-old is facing similar charges in the juvenile division of district court.
That’s a lot of justice to be served.
Unfortunately, the three accused in the Burger King robbery aren’t the only thugs in Emporia who need a lesson in justice and common sense. In the last five months Emporia has seen five cases of armed robbery. Of the five incidents, suspects have been apprehended three times so far and instead of ending up with even a dollar’s worth of cash, they are paying for their crimes with some tough sentencing.
Just something a person should think about the next time he or she considers another stupid stunt like this in Emporia.
Is it really worth it?
Ashley Knecht Walker
Editor
landinkansas (anonymous) says...
Obviously there is a serious serious flaw in our system. People should "ABSOLUTELY FEAR" going to prison. Our Jails/Prisons need to get tough. Society in general needs to get tough on these criminals. Our society is to soft (touchy/feely), lets get tough on those that deserve it.....
Another (very large)burden on taxpayers......How much taxpayer money is spent annually in Kansas on Jails/Prisons?
January 13, 2011 at 12:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
AverageCitizen2 (anonymous) says...
I think that the 17-year-old should be tried as an adult.
January 13, 2011 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
... tried as an adult, then beaten with a knobby stick.
January 13, 2011 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
PS - Thanks, Gazette, for trying to get this information out there (though I'm not sure how many readers you have in the armed robbery crowd). Truth is, all you would be robbers, that if you get caught and convicted for stealing something when nobody was around, it is almost impossible for the Judge to send you to prison -- you're gonna get probation. If, though, you steal something directly from somebody, or from their house if they're home, it's almost impossible for you NOT to go to prison for a long time. It's set up that way on purpose --- if you are going to steal stuff, don't do it when anyone is around that you might hurt or kill, or who might hurt or kill you.
There you have it. Robbers go to prison. Thieves get probation. Don't be a robber.
January 13, 2011 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
I have to agree that probation figures prominently in district court cases here. Just look at the listings from the same paper as this story. Almost all received probation. That means, ironically, that thieves and drug addicts will need to find jobs and/or community service opportunities - a major task of each probationer. So they are going to be right back in the community, especially if they are first timers. Even if they serve a couple of years in prison. Back they come to the community needing jobs but now having a record against them. It's a vicious cycle - you steal because you need money or don't have a job, then to complete your sentence you need to find a job or get educated. Jobs, jobs, jobs - that's what this community needs. The thinking that thieves get the book thrown at them and then you never have to deal with them again is simply not true.
January 13, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
railroadhorn (anonymous) says...
Here's a challenge in Ashley Walker -- not long ago a bunch of Hispanic businesses were robbed; last year I believe. Four people were arrested, one a juvenile. What were their sentences? I bet not a one of them got jail time.
January 13, 2011 at 6:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Before we start hollering about jail sentences versus probation, be very sure you understand that the prisons we have now are severely overcrowded. In fact, the state of Kansas refuses to build on or build new. Where does that leave these cases involving thieves and drug addicts? Don't blame the County Attorney. His hands are tied to the sentencing guidelines judges must use. Probation is a way out.
Kansas has already started to release homicide cases from prison. But if you don't want to build a new prison...
January 13, 2011 at 9:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
The problem is prison construction is supposed to be funded through lottery money. From 2009:
Juvenile Detention Facilities Fund
$2,496,000
Correctional Institutions Building Fund
$4,992,000
So shouldn't there be some money for new prisons, or was it diverted?
January 14, 2011 at 8:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
This may be something to have our local reps look into and report back.
January 14, 2011 at 9:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heloves (anonymous) says...
It takes a lot of faith not to be a thief in today's world. As we know thieves aren't always the "poor". Much money and many jobs are diverted . Diversion of funds is theft. Everyone who takes a major bonus while laying off workers is a thief. We have a promise our needs will be met, but we have to trust and learn to be patient and content.
January 15, 2011 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
marko (anonymous) says...
Bernie Madoff
January 15, 2011 at 6:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Dick Cheney
January 15, 2011 at 9:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good question, Steve. Maybe Don Hill or Peggy Mast can answer that.
January 15, 2011 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good Question for Eggs and Issues, huh?
January 15, 2011 at 5:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )