James Barton

Kenneth Pease

Just before 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 12, 2011, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible theft of a 4-wheeler, still in progress, north of Crestline.

As deputies and a trooper with the Kansas Highway Patrol responded to the area, a witness followed the suspects’ vehicle, alerting law enforcement of their route of travel.

At one point, the suspects stopped, dumped the 4-wheeler alongside a county road, and continued towards Missouri.

Officers located and stopped the vehicle near Southeast 118th and Messer Road.

Two suspects, James Barton, 40, of West Mineral and 37 year-old Kenneth Pease, of Baxter Springs were arrested and transported to the Cherokee County Jail.

Barton is being held in lieu of $8,000.00 on suspicion of Theft and two outstanding arrest warrants, one from Cherokee County and one out of Crawford County.

Pease posted $5,000.00 bond and was released.

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