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Police seek public’s help to identify robbery suspects

Police are asking the public to help identify suspects in an aggravated robbery at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the 800 block of Kansas Avenue. (Photo from Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department)

Police are asking the public to assist to help identify suspects in an aggravated robbery at 7:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the 800 block of Kansas Avenue.

According to a Kansas City, Kansas, police spokesman, two suspects entered the store and lingered for an extended amount of time.

One male brandished a weapon and pointed it at the victim, a store employee, according to the spokesman.

The man then ordered the employee around at gunpoint while an unidentified female suspect acted as a distraction, according to the spokesman. The male demanded property and cash, and both suspects fled on foot, the spokesman stated.

The male was wearing a gray “Champion” hoodie, black ball cap with lettering, possibly stating “Business,” and dark-colored Nike tennis shoes, according to police.

The female had her hair up and covered by a black Nike ball cap, according to police.

Both were wearing standard medical masks. The female appears to be several inches taller than the male, police stated.

The gun appeared to be a silver semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine, police said.

The robbery is under investigation by the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau. Anyone with information was asked to call the TIPS hotline at 816-474-TIPS.

Kansas Speedway to have limited number of fans for Oct. 18 race

The Kansas Speedway announced Wednesday on its website that it would have a limited number of fans at its NASCAR Cup Series race Oct. 18.

The race will be run with safety protocols and procedures in place, according to a news release.

Grandstand seating and select campgrounds will be available, while infield access will be restricted to essential industry personnel, according to the announcement.

The Hollywood Casino 400 starts at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, at the Kansas Speedway, and will be the first in the round of eight in the Cup Series playoffs, the news release stated.

“I know the drivers feed off the excitement of having the fans on hand, and we are enthusiastic for the opportunity to welcome them back to the track, offering a safe, healthy environment for everyone,” Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren said in a statement.

Fans who have already purchased tickets to the race may be reseated to new locations to ensure social distancing, with lower ticket pricing applied, according to the news release.

All guests will be temperature screened and will be asked questions about health before entering the racetrack, and will maintain 6 feet of social distancing, the news release stated. Guests who are age 3 and older will be required to wear face coverings, according to the release.

For this race, re-entry, tailgating and coolers will not be permitted. Clear bags up to 18 inches by 18 inches by 14 inches will be allowed. Concessions will have limited grab-and-go items.

Guests will be directed to parking lots with more space between visitors. Also, there will be an entry and exit procedure to prevent people from being concentrated together.

Camping will be allowed in Turn 1, Turn 3, Turn 4 and backstretch terraces. Outside camping will be limited to select campgrounds. Infield and tent camping will not be available at this event.

The Oct. 18 race will be carried on NBC.

Other races in October at the Kansas Speedway include the NASCAR Gander RV and Outdoors Truck Series Kansas 200 at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; the ARCA Menards Series Championship Kansas 150 at 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16; and the NASCAR Xfinity Series Kansas Lottery 300 at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.

For more information, see www.kansasspeedway.com.

History of mob influence in River Quay detailed in speech

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

How warring factions of Kansas City mob families destroyed a popular venue with the hip crowd was the subject that a former Kansas City, Missouri, police officer told at a meeting Sept. 10 of the Fairfax Industrial Association.

Gary Jenkins, the policeman, spent 13 years as an undercover officer gathering information about the Mafia. He told the history of the River Quay (pronounced key). Marion Trozzolo, a former college instructor from Chicago who owned a plastics company, developed the River Quay in the late 1960s and early 1970s. It was a great place to bring the family. There were various artisan and boutique shops. Trozzolo patterned the area after the Old Town area of Chicago.

Jenkins said the mob operated bars on Twelfth Street, but were being pushed out to make way for a hotel which is now the Kansas City Marriott Downtown. The mob wanted to move into River Quay.

Trozzolo had difficulty in obtaining capital and sold his interest of some 20 parcels of real estate to a New Orleans developer, Joseph Canizaro. An article in The New York Times referred Trozzolo‘s dream as Canizaro’s nightmare. Jenkins said what happened in the next few years was a violent gangland war.

Jenkins said one faction of the mob wanted strip joints and prostitution in River Quay. However, another faction, led by Fred Bonadonna, owner of Poor Freddie’s restaurant, opposed that type of business. Bonadonna’s father was murdered in gangland style. Jenkins said there were several other criminal incidents including execution-style homicides and bombings.

Today River Quay is now known as River Market. It is a mix of offices, restaurants and apartments and shops. The strip joints are gone. It is perceived as a place that is safe for families.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.