Shooting at Walmart

Sorry Im a bit late with this. Here is the police report on the shooting in the Walmart parking lot over the weekend. There's more cop stuff below.

On 09-18-2010 at about 4:11pm, officers of the Arkansas City Police Department responded to the report of gunshots in the parking lot of Wal-Mart.  Upon officers arrival they found Justin
Tong and Sean Rethmeier in the parking lot, both suffering gunshot wounds.  Justin Tong had been struck in the right side of his torso, and was transported to the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center by Arkansas City Fire and EMS.  Tong was later transported to Wesley Medical Center by helicopter.  Tong underwent surgery in Wichita and is expected to recover from the injury.  Rethmeier had been struck in the left hand and was taken to South Central Regional Medical Center, where he was treated and later released.

The case is still under investigation at this time by the Arkansas City Police Department, but it appears that the discharge of the weapon in the car was unintentional.  Information that has been gathered by the investigations division of the police department is that Rethmeier and Tong were showing each other the pistols that they own.  Rethmeir was attempting to unload the weapon when it discharged.  The bullet went through Rethmeir’s hand and struck Tong in his side. 

The police department urges individuals that do not have experience handling firearms, nor have the confidence in unloading a firearm, to seek the help of someone that has experience with the firearms.  Thousands of people are injured, and killed each year from unintentional discharges from firearms.  We would ask that if you are not familiar with a firearm that you own, have borrowed, or have come into contact with, that you do not handle it, or attempt to make it safe on your own.  Officers of the police department are all trained in the safe and proper handling of firearms, and if you ever have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to call and ask. 

Press Release

Man Charged with Stalking

On 09-17-2010 Officers responded to Dillons for a report of a disturbance.  Officers made contact with Michael Brown who was inside the store bothering the victim; Michael Brown had previously received a no contact statement from an Ark City female working at the store.  He was arrested for stalking and transported to the Cowley County Jail and was later released on a $2000.00 bond.

Domestic Disturbance

On 09-18-2010 Officers responded to the 600 block of N 4^th St for a report of a domestic disturbance in progress.  It was reported that the male half of the disturbance had a handgun and was threatening the female half.  Upon arrival Jason Lind was apprehended a few blocks away, a handgun was discovered that was thrown in a neighbors bush.  Jason Lind was arrested for Aggravated Assault, Criminal Threat, Criminal Possession of a firearm, Possession of Narcotics and Criminal Damage to Property.  He was transported to the Cowley County Jail and was released on a $14,000.00 bond

Short Foot Chase leads to Drug Arrest

On 09-19-2010, Officers responded to behind El Maguey for a pedestrian laying in the grass who appeared intoxicated.  Before officers arrival the subject got up and started walking northbound.  Upon spotting officers, Jose Villafane-Cotto ran from police and was caught and apprehended behind the Windsor High Rise Apts.  While transporting Mr. Villane-Cotto to the Arkansas City Police Department, he was observed attempting to ingest a plastic baggie inside the patrol vehicle.  Officers recovered the baggie, which contained a white powdery substance believed to be Cocaine.   Mr. Villafane-Cotto arrested for Possession of Cocaine, Pedestrian under the Influence in Roadway, Obstruction and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was transported to the Cowley County Jail and is currently being held on a $8050.00 bond.