Release #1: Aggravated Battery

On November 28th, 2020, at around 9:30 PM, officers of the Garden City Police Department responded to the area of 700 East Spruce Street in reference to a fight-in-progress.

Upon arrival, officers met several subjects on the scene and learned an argument ensued between Casey Lee (37), 703 E Spruce Street, Garden City, and another man at the residence. Lee allegedly left the argument and retrieved a Machete from Melvin Johnson (43), 405 N 1st St., Garden City.

Lee returned to the residence and allegedly swung a machete at the man. Lee then reportedly began to strike a truck with the machete near where the man was standing, then fled the area.

Lee and Johnson were located and arrested without incident. An affidavit for Lee was filed requesting charges of Attempted Aggravated Battery and Criminal Damage. An affidavit for Johnson was filed requesting the charge of Aggravated Battery. The case was forwarded to the Finney County Attorney’s Office for further review.

*The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law. *

Release#2: Arson

On November 28th, 2020, around 11:00 PM, officers of the Garden City Police Department and the Garden City Fire Department were dispatched to 304 N 9th Street, Finney County Law Enforcement Center, in reference to a vehicle on fire.

Upon arrival, officers located a blue, Chevrolet Silverado, fully engulfed in flames in the parking lot directly to the west of the Law Enforcement Center. The truck was owned by Finney County and was parked next to a Garden City Police Department patrol vehicle. Both the truck and the patrol vehicle sustained damage.

Through investigation, officers located Luis Velasco (23), 612 N 9th Street, who was subsequently taken into custody.

An affidavit was filed requesting the charge of Arson, and the case has been forwarded to the Finney County Attorney’s Office for further review.

*The person(s) involved has not yet been convicted of a crime and are presumed innocent. The presumption of innocence shall continue until such time that the person(s) accused may be found guilty by a court of law. *

Release #3: Possible Arson

On November 27th, 2020, at around 2:45 PM, Officers of the Garden City Police Department and the Garden City Fire Department were dispatched to the area of 600 N 8th Street in reference to a structure fire.

Upon arrival, officers saw the front of the property fully engulfed in flames.

Occupants of the property were evacuated, and the Garden City Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire. No injuries were reported.

Foul play is suspected, and the case is still an active and on-going investigation.

The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department (620) 276-1300. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers (620) 275-7807, or text your tip to Garden City PD, text GCTIP, and your tip to Tip411 (847411).

Release #4: Robbery

On November 25th, 2020, at around 8:30 PM, officers of the Garden City Police Department were dispatched to the area of 1200 E Fulton Street in reference to a robbery that had just occurred.

Upon arrival, officers met the reporting party, who said his silver, 2003 Ford Taurus bearing Kansas tag 942NEJ was taken without permission. The man directed officers to the area of 200 Washington Street, where he said a Hispanic man and Hispanic woman were walking southbound towards him from 200 Washington St.

The reporting party said he stopped his vehicle and got out near the intersection of E. Fulton and Washington St. because he observed the man shouting. The reporting party said the man was holding a metal signpost in his hand. The man allegedly began to shout profanities at him, raised the metal post, and approached him. Believing the man was going to strike him with the post, he allegedly began backing away southbound from the vehicle, which had been running with the keys in the ignition. The reporting party said after backing away from the vehicle, the woman and man got into the vehicle and fled westbound on E. Fulton St.

The Garden City Police Department is requesting assistance from the community. If you witnessed this incident or have information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department (620) 276-1300. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers (620) 275-7807, or text your tip to Garden City PD, text GCTIP, and your tip to Tip411 (847411).

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*A copy of the release can be found on our website at www.gcpolice.org*