Month: February 2017

Man who wrote ‘I have two guns, don’t make me use them’ charged with KCK bank robbery

Andre U. Randle, 36, who is in custody, is charged with one count of bank robbery in Kansas City, Kan., according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

The federal indictment alleges that on Feb. 1, 2017, he robbed the U.S. Bank at 10959 Parallel Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.

According to court documents, he gave a clerk a note saying, “I have 2 guns. Don’t make me use them,” before leaving the bank with stolen cash in a purple pillow case.

Officers of the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department stopped his car in the 6900 block of Troup and arrested him.

Roofing company owner pleads guilty to harboring undocumented workers

A Shawnee, Kan., man who was co-owner of a roofing company pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kan., to providing employment, transportation and housing for undocumented workers from Mexico who he knew were in the United States illegally, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said.

Tommy Frank Keaton, 71, Shawnee, Kan., co-owner of Canadian West, Inc., and RAM Metal Products, doing business as Century Roofing, pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly harboring illegal aliens. In his plea, he admitted the crime occurred while he operated Century Roofing at 6 S. 59th St. Lane in Kansas City, Kan.

Keaton provided vehicles to some Mexican citizens who worked for his company, as well as housing at a residence he owned in the 1500 block of South 18th Street in Kansas City, Kan. He admitted that about $1.4 million the government seized from him are the proceeds of the offense and are subject to forfeiture.

Beall commended Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Kansas Department of Revenue, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, the Overland Park Police Department, the Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Department, the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, the Lenexa Police Department, the Shawnee Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Anderson for their work on the case.

Rockfest concert returns to Wyandotte County in June, after 14-year absence

The Rockfest concert sponsored by The Rock 98.9 FM is returning to Wyandotte County after an absence of about 14 years. The Kansas Speedway is the new venue.

Held in 1994 at Sandstone and from 1998 to 2003 at the Sandstone Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Rockfest has been held for the past 13 years at the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City, Mo.

In an announcement earlier this week, Rockfest organizers stated the concert will be coming to the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., on June 3 for the annual event.

Bob Edwards, program director for KQRC The Rock 98.9 FM, stated that there were several reasons for the move this year.

Liberty Memorial was not available the first weekend in June, which was the desired date for the event, he stated. Also, Kansas Speedway will offer a better experience for the concert attendee, according to Edwards. He stated those attending the concert will have more room at the event, better parking and better facilities.

According to the announcement this week, 15 bands have been scheduled for June 3 Rockfest at the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan.

They include Godsmack, Sammy Hagar and The Circle, Volbeat, Halestorm, RATT (featuring Stephen Pearcy, Warren DeMartini, Juan Crocuier and Carlos Cavazo), Collective Soul, Buckcherry, P.O.D., Zakk Sabbath, Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Blackberry Smoke, Crobot, Candlebox, Sidewise and One Less Reason.

Rockfest also announced its new home at Kansas Speedway. With the relocation, Rockfest is able to add amenities that will bring the Rockfest experience to the next level, including the addition of a second main stage to the festival, a spokesman stated.

For more information on Rockfest, visit http://rockfestkc.com/.