Early Thursday morning, two people were arrested in Warrensburg in connection to a string of recent burglaries in the area.

A press release from the Warrensburg Police Department indicates that officers received a call around 6:00 a.m. about a burglary at the Parks and Rec Maintenance building, located in the 500 block of E. North Street.

Around the same time, an officer saw a Parks and Rec truck driving in the area of Grover and College St. According to the press release, the officers followed but the vehicle eluded him for several blocks and ended up stopping in an alley behind 109 Broad Street.

An officer reportedly saw the driver flee from the vehicle on foot toward the rear of 115 Broad St, Apt C. Officers surrounded the building and brought in Sgt. Gunner (K9 unit) for a track. They were able to track the suspect to the entry way of Apt. C. While searching the area for the suspect, officers discovered a large number of tools in the yard outside the apartment.

When the area was secured, authorities applied for a search warrant.

The SWAT team was then activated and nearby residents were evacuated.  Warrensburg Public Works responded to handle a traffic perimeter.

Then around 9:00 a.m., area residents informed officers that a male subject was in the building but the residents did not recognize him. Authorities showed the residents a picture of the suspect and he was positively identified as the one in the building.

A short time later, an entry team was sent to 113 Broad to conduct a search for the subject. The team searched the home and discovered 2 locked doors they did not have keys for. The property owner then arrived and provided keys. When authorities opened one of the locked doors they found the suspect, Jason B. Vacek. He was taken into custody without incident.

Vacek reportedly told authorities that his girlfriend was inside an apartment at 115 Broad, #C.

A negotiator made phone contact with Vacek’s girlfriend, identified as Nicole M. Stansberry, who confirmed she was in the apartment. Officers told her to come and she did. She was then taken into custody.

Vacek and Stansberry were taken to the Johnson County Jail.

Vacek reportedly confessed to the Parks and Recreation burglary as well as other recent downtown burglaries. Detectives say a significant amount of stolen property has been returned, and they are continuing to identify other burglary victims.

Courtesy of WPD
Courtesy of WPD
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