Great Bend, KS — On Saturday, Oct. 15, three individuals were arrested in connection to a series of burglaries that occurred during the week of Oct. 10. Barton County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) deputies executed a search warrant at a residence in the 5900 block of Eisenhower Court, where they recovered stolen property, including tools and equipment.
Keaton Krom, 24, was arrested for three counts of burglary, three counts of theft, and one count of possession of stolen property. Julia Ellis, 24, was arrested for one count of possession of stolen property, and Rachael Quesenbury-Graves, 37, was booked on one count of possession of stolen property. Krom and Ellis remained in jail as of Tuesday, while Graves was released after posting bond. Later that afternoon, BCSO deputies executed another search warrant on Harrison Street, where additional stolen items were recovered.
Authorities are continuing the investigation, and further arrests are expected in connection to the ongoing case.
In a separate incident on Friday, Dec. 27, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) was called to investigate a homicide, police pursuit, and apparent suicide. The tragedy began around 9:10 a.m. when Mario Martinez-Garcia, 32, shot and killed Esmeralda Torres-Lopez, 32, at her workplace, Los Compadres Mexican Store and Restaurant in Great Bend. Torres-Lopez succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital shortly after.
Martinez-Garcia fled the scene in a white 2021 Chevy Silverado, leading law enforcement officers on a high-speed chase. Authorities from multiple agencies joined the pursuit, deploying tire deflation devices. A deputy from the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a tactical intervention, causing the vehicle to crash into a barbed-wire fence on Highway 50 in Stafford County. When officers approached the truck, Martinez-Garcia was found deceased from a gunshot wound and was holding a handgun. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The KBI is leading the investigation into the events, which is ongoing. Findings will be reviewed by the Stafford County Attorney once the investigation concludes. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.