Racketeering, kidnapping incidents reported to MPD
At 12:01 p.m. on Feb. 2, it was reported a suspect maliciously deleted files from a computer owned by USD 408 and located at Marion High School, 701 E. Main Street, Marion. The suspect also sent an e-mail to a faculty member stating he would keep an external hard drive, that was previously reported stolen by the school, if the suspect did not receive money. The suspect also threatened more damage to school computers if money was not left in a certain location for the suspect.
At 4:20 p.m. Feb. 2, a suspect chased Corey Helmstead, 18, 612 S. Cedar Street, Marion, in Central Park, Marion, on foot and caught him. The suspect forcibly dragged and pushed the victim from the point caught to an area at the south end of the park. The victim was struck several times in the face by the suspect who used both his hands and feet. The suspect then told the victim that he would kill him if he "narced" on him. The suspect was charged with kidnapping, battery, criminal threat, and disorderly conduct.
A second suspect was arrested for obstructing legal process in a felony case and battery for striking the victim in the face at least twice while another person held him. When the second suspect was asked about the situation, the second suspect denied having any knowledge or participation. The suspect also was charged with disorderly conduct.
During an investigation involving the alleged kidnapping and battery, Marion Police Lieutenant Dean Keyes was given information that a third suspect was present during the assault in Central Park. A third suspect was questioned about the assault and refused to cooperate and said she knew a fight was going to take place but refused to write a statement to that fact, and then stated she didn't know anything about it.
At 8 p.m. and 8:05 p.m. on Feb. 4, suspect(s) damaged the fronts of two vending machines owned by Pepsi Cola Bottling of Emporia, at The Big Scoop, 616 E. Main Street, and Duckwall's, 321 E. Main Street, Marion.
