Man visiting Parsons, Kansas for his mother’s funeral was robbed of all her belongings
On Sunday October 2, 2022, Parsons Police Officer Shyanne Dunn took a report for a stolen red 2004 GMC Canyon with Tennessee plates that was loaded with personal items.
The victim stated that he had come to Parsons to attend his mother’s funeral and then take her belongings back home. Before he could leave the truck and everything in it was stolen.
Officer Dunn was on patrol when she spotted the vehicle in town being driven by Scott Gabrial Hall at 18th and Corning. Officer Dunn initiated a traffic stop and Hall continued to the parking lot in front of Westco in the 2000 block of Main.
Officer Dunn with the help of Sergeant Waylon Kepley and Corporal Keenan Roberts and two Kansas Highway Patrol Officer conducted a High-Risk Traffic Stop on the vehicle. The vehicle was occupied by Scott Hall, Scott Wells, and Robbie Daniels. All three were taken into custody and interviewed at the Parsons Police Department.
The truck was released to the owner. There were some damages to the vehicle and the items that were in the truck were missing.
Later a citizen called to report that there was a large pile of damaged furniture and property on Pratt Road near the back side of the Tolen Creek Walking Trail. Officers went to investigate and found some of the missing items from the vehicle theft. Many of the items were damaged including an antique dresser made in the late 1800’s and a eulogy poem that was written by the victim for his mother’s funeral. What was left of the damaged goods were recovered by the victim.
Scott Hall was arrested, and charges are being requested for Felony Theft, two counts of Felony Criminal Damage, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Distribution of a Controlled Substance, Driving While Suspended, Littering, Failure to Yield to Emergency Vehicle, and Felony Possession of Stolen Property. Charges for Robbie Dale Daniels are, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Distribution of a Controlled Substance. These charges are being sent to the Labette County Attorney’s Office for Review and charging.
Hall has an extensive criminal history for Theft and Burglary cases and is currently classified as homeless, Daniels was recently released from prison for arson and multiple drug related charges.
Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks said, “this is a very unfortunate situation that we have here. This is the lasting impression that this person will have of our city, and it is because of a failing criminal system that is not holding people accountable for their actions. This weekend the police department made 10 arrests in three days. Mr. Hall was arrested earlier this week for theft as well and had to be released only to take the opportunity to victimize yet another citizen who was just visiting our community. I am torn as a Police Chief. I know that we are doing good police work and making good arrests and solving and preventing criminal activity. But at the same time, we are struggling to find officers to hire for this very reason. We are dealing with the same people day in and day out. We have to look the victims in the eye and apologize for a flawed system that allows repeat offenders to be released only to reoffend. It is a tough road to follow being a police officer these days. I will continue to stay positive and praise the hard work of the men and woman that work in our city. I am especially grateful for the diligent eye of Officer Shyanne Dunn for spotting this thief and making a great felony bust.”