Kansas
Kansas AG addresses Congress concerning retail theft, lack of prosecution
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – The increase in major retail theft across the U.S. is getting attention on Capitol Hill. It’s a problem impacting businesses in every state. Looking to curb the problem in Kansas, Attorney General Kris Kobach testified Tuesday at a House Judiciary Committee hearing, highlighting what’s happening in his state.
Kobach’s testimony comes on the heels of a new Kansas law set to take affect July 1. That law gives Kobach’s office more authority to prosecute retail theft rings.
In April, Wichita Police Chief Joe Sullivan reported retail theft in Wichita up more than 30% compared to the first few months of 2022. Data showed theft numbers reported by retail stores in Wichita at or among the worst nationally for several companies.
“Victoria’s Secret is the number four store out of 2,000 stores in America, here in Wichita [at] $30,000 in loss per month. Cabelas’ loss prevention says they are number one in loss in the nation here in Wichita. Walmart stores at 501 E. Pawnee, at Kellogg and Dugan are top five for theft in the region,” said Chief Sullivan in April.
In all, Wichita police report seeing a 38% increase in retail theft this year. A problem law enforcement across the U.S. face is trying to crack down on organized retail crime, a criminal enterprise involving multiple criminals stealing items from multiple stores in multiple areas, then selling the stolen goods.
These crimes, Kobach said, are taking their toll on the Kansas judicial system.
“Many of the cases do not get prosecuted, a huge number do not get prosecuted due to the lack of prosecutorial capacity at the county level,” Kobach said.
A key factor Kobach addressed concerns property crimes not getting the same attention as personal crimes.
“Many [district attorneys] simply have too large of a stack of crimes. Non-person crimes like this get moved to the bottom of the stack and consequently don’t get prosecuted.
With the number of thefts so high, police too are overwhelmed, Kobach told congressional members of the House Judiciary Committee.
“Police departments only have a limited number of detectives, and if you’ve got a multiple number of stores getting hit multiple times each day, they don’t have the capacity to investigate all of them,” Kobach said.
Then, if a thief is arrested, they’re often back on the streets before the end of the day, the Kansas AG said.
“Many courts are setting bail too low for the criminals, much lower than they have in the past,” Kobach said.
Even with all of the problems, Kobach said he believes increased prosecutions for retail thefts will be a deterrent.
“If we prosecute more cases, it’s not rocket science, the problem will diminish if we increase the amount of prosecutions,” Kobach said.
Increasing prosecutions is what new state law will allow. In April, Kobach said his office was working with police departments and retail companies to create a Kansas Organized Retail Crime Task Force to help look into better ways of thwarting the criminal enterprise.
Copyright 2023 KWCH. All rights reserved. To report a correction or typo, please email news@kwch.com
Kansas
Kansas State Fans Unload On Jerome Tang After Wichita State Loss
Kansas State’s meltdown loss to the Stockers can be attributed to many on the team.
But it was coach Jerome Tang who was the center of the criticism Saturday night. This is the second time in the last three games where the Wildcats were outdone dramatically in the second half.
Kansas State stars Coleman Hawkins and David N’Guessan combined for just 15 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, David Castillo went 0 of 7 from 3-point range, contributing to a 28 percent shooting performance from the arc.
On the other end, Wichita State’s Xavier Bell and Corey Washington combined for 42 points. The Shockers collectively got to the paint and free-throw line very often Saturday.
“I saw this live,” one user said. “Competitive for 30 minutes, the Cats freaked out being down by 4 and couldn’t stop chucking threes and play horrible defense. Tang tries but this squad has no heart and grit. Soft. Fragile.”
Kansas State starts facing conference opponents next week, with their first Big 12 matchup against Cincinnati (9-1) Monday night. But honestly, most fans are ready to throw in the towel on the season already.
“I love this college with my whole heart,” another fan said. “Will always support the University but this is one of the worst starts to a season I have ever seen. This is not the standard we have built and something needs to change. The program should be embarrassed because the fans sure are.”
Jayden Armant is a graduate of the Howard University School of Communications and a contributor to Kansas State Wildcats on SI. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
Kansas
Chiefs Suffer Several Big Injuries Before Steelers Game
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been pummeled with injuries over recent weeks. They aren’t alone in that predicament, however, as their Christmas Day opponent in the Kansas City Chiefs are currently dealing with their fair share of bumps and bruises.
Defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf), wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle), offensive tackle Jawann Taylor (knee) and linebacker Jack Cochrane (ankle) all went down in Kansas City’s win over the Houston Texans on Saturday afternoon, casting doubt on their collective statuses for Wednesday’s meeting with Pittsburgh in a short week.
Jones, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite defensive talents for the better part of a decade, sustained his injury in the fourth quarter. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid described it as a strain, and it’s unclear if he’ll be ready to go against the Steelers.
The five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro has recorded five sacks on the season to go with 30 total tackles, nine of which have gone for losses, and a forced fumble.
Worthy, who was selected with the No. 28 pick of the first round in the 2024 draft, posted a career-high six catches for 65 yards and a touchdown versus Houston. He departed with his injury in the second quarter before returning after halftime and remaining available from that point forward, meaning he’s likely good to go against the Steelers.
Reid also described Taylor’s injury as a strain after he was pulled in the third quarter of Saturday’s contest. The 27-year-old has held a spot on the Chiefs’ injury report since Week 13 with a knee issue, though he’s yet to miss a game both this season and throughout his entire six-year career.
Taylor occupies the right tackle spot and has made 15 starts this campaign. Kansas City’s depth has already been tested after left tackle D.J. Humphries was inactive versus Houston with a hamstring injury, leaving Wanya Morris and second-round rookie Kingsley Suamataia as the team’s most likely options at the two spots if the former pair of players can’t work their way back onto the field in the coming days.
Cochrane fractured his ankle, per Reid, which may very well end his year. The special teams ace logged a total of 306 snaps, mustering five tackles over that stretch.
The Chiefs are now 14-1 and have a magic number of one to clinch the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning another win or a single Buffalo Bills loss would do the job.
Thus, Kansas City could adopt a safe approach by resting some of its guys and opting not to risk worsening the health of its players with such little down time before taking on the Steelers.
Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has seen its hold on the AFC North slip out of its hands following a loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday that has both teams sitting with a 10-5 record.
Though the Steelers have clinched a postseason berth, they are currently on a two-game losing streak and would ideally avoid slipping any further.
Cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) both suffered injuries against Baltimore while cornerback Donte Jackson (back), defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), quarterback Justin Fields (abdominal), safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) all didn’t make an appearance with pre-existing wounds.
Pittsburgh needs to get off the schneid quickly, and the hope is that it can return several key pieces whom are currently on the mend for its bout with the reigning Super Bowl champions from KC.
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Kansas
Kansas State Has Another Second-Half Collapse In Loss To Wichita State
The Kansas State Wildcats looked like a strong basketball team for one half.
And then the second half happened.
The Wildcats were outscored by 23 in the final 20 minutes in an 84-65 loss to Wichita State Saturday night on the road.
“They were better than us, especially in the second half,” K-State coach Jerome Tang said. “I thought their staff did a great job of putting a game plan together of how they wanted to attack us.”
It was the second time the Wildcats had a second-half collapse. The same thing happened in a blowout loss at St. John’s earlier this month.
“The other coaches did a better job of making adjustments than our staff did,” Tang said.
Xavier Bell led the Shockers with a season-high 24 points. Macaleab Rich led the Wildcats with 20 points.
WILDCATS SIGN RECEIVER
Kansas State is making moves within the transfer portal. Their most recent acquisition former Boston College wide receiver Jerand Bradley.
Bradley had just six receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns last season with the Eagles. However, he compiled 92 receptions for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns with Texas Tech, illustrating his ability to produce. He will have many opportunities to replicate this in Manhattan, with the Wildcats reeling after losing their top two receivers.
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS HAVE NEW UNIFORMS FOR RATE BOWL AGAINST RUTGERS
As Kansas State gears up for the Rutgers Scarlet Knight, storylines have been flying around regarding the transfer portal, new recruits, and possible breakout performances.
But a more light-hearted note was the Wildcats getting to unveil their new uniforms in the Rate Bowl.
Wildcats veteran Taylor Poitier said it was “really cool” to be able to suit up in these newer designs.
“We rarely get to wear those types of uniform combos, so I’m really excited to wear them,” Poitier said. “They’ll look pretty cool out there.”
Shandel Richardson is the publisher of Kansas State Wildcats On SI. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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