Porch Pirate Charged with Felony Theft

An Excelsior Springs woman was caught on a front door camera stealing a package from a residence in Liberty over the weekend. When the picture was posted to social media, many other victims came forward to report the same crime.

24 year-old Kayley Worthington of Excelsior Springs is now in jail and charged with one count of felony theft and one count of felony possession of a controlled substance.

Sheriff’s Office investigators began collaborating with Liberty, Smithville, and Kansas City, North, police departments after seeing multiple reports on social media of packages being stolen.

The multi-agency investigation led deputies to a home in Excelsior Springs early Monday evening. They were able to locate Worthington there and took her into custody. Deputies served a search warrant at the house and recovered 51 stolen items, as well as methamphetamine.

“Worthington is being held in the Clay County Detention Center on a $20,000 bond,” reads a Clay Country Sheriff’s Office release. “If she posts bond, one of the conditions of her bond is that she may not be within 100 feet of anyone’s porch other than her own.”

So far nine victims have come forward. Clay County investigators encourage residents who had a package stolen Nov. 29 – Dec. 1 and have not yet filed a police report to do so. Additional charges against additional suspects are possible.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Traffic Crashes Decreased This Thanksgiving Holiday

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports four people died in traffic crashes during this year’s Thanksgiving holiday counting period. There were no boating crashes or drownings.

During the Thanksgiving holiday counting period, the Highway Patrol responded to 362 crashes that included 120 injuries and four fatalities. Troopers also made 106 driving while intoxicated arrests.

The counting period started at 6 pm, Wednesday, November 27, and ended at 11:59 pm, Sunday, December 1.

Over the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period, troopers investigated 431 traffic crashes, which included four fatalities and 138 injuries. Statewide, nine people died and 483 people were injured in 1,342 traffic crashes over last year’s Thanksgiving holiday. Troopers arrested 103 people for driving while intoxicated during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.

There were zero boating crashes, zero boating fatalities, zero drownings, and zero boating while intoxicated arrests reported during the 2024 Thanksgiving holiday counting period.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

City Begins Transfer of Waste Services

The City of Kearney has begun rolling out information about the new trash and recycling contractor, Redgate Disposal. Redgate services will begin in January 2025.

According to city sources here is the timeline of the transition from Republic to Redgate trash services:

12/9/2024 through 12/20/2024: Redgate will begin to deliver new bins to homes during this period. Do not use these bins until January.

Week of 12/30/2024: Current trash company Republic will complete its last pick-up of trash and recycling. Your current Republic bins will be collected at this time.

Week of 1/6/2025: Redgate will begin its first pick-up of trash and recycling in the new Redgate bins.

The city has provided THIS MAP for homeowners to find their trash collection day.

Watch the city’s social media pages for new information or updates. If you have questions, email cityhall@kearneymo.us.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Stolen Vehicle Suspect Arrested Near Worlds of Fun

A Guatemalan man attempted to flee Kearney Police in a stolen vehicle on Black Friday, but the only special deal he received was a K-9 bite and a free ride to jail.

Cristian Guevara-Urbina - police photo.

Kearney police officers identified a stolen vehicle on Friday, November 29. When they tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled south on I-35. Officers requested the assistance of outside agencies to help capture the suspect.

The vehicle crashed on I-435, just south of 69 Highway in Claycomo. The occupant, Cristian Guevara-Urbina, fled from the vehicle and tried to hide in a wooded area on Randolph Rd.

Urbina was found and taken into custody after being bitten by a Kansas City, MO K-9 officer.

Urbina was charged with two felonies – tampering with a motor vehicle and also “Valentines Law,” a new Missouri law that is described as “aggravated fleeing a stop.” Because of the high-speed and dangerous manner in which he operated the vehicle, this is a Class D felony.

Urbina is being held in the Clay County Detention Facility on a $40,000 bond. Kearney Police are working with the Department of Homeland Security to determine his citizenship status and possible other charges.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Fulfillment House Appoints General Manager

The Fulfillment House is gaining a General Manager. The non-profit organization announced that Joey Soutter will become the General Manager effective December 2.

Joey, katie and theo soutter – Fulfillment house shared photo.

The Fulfillment House made the announcement on their Facebook page and noted some of Soutter’s accomplishments and experience:

“Most recently, he served as a Change Implementation Analyst at Oracle Health in Kansas City, where he managed complex software changes, conducted training sessions, and collaborated with internal stakeholders to escalate changes impacting critical operations,” reads the social media post.

Soutter has also worked as an Account Specialist at Fastenal, overseeing inventory management, auditing processes, and achieving significant operational efficiencies.

The Fulfillment House says Soutter will be responsible for overseeing daily operations, developing strategic initiatives, and ensuring Fulfillment House continues to meet its mission of serving adults with special needs and disabilities through meaningful employment opportunities and community engagement.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.