Galena police incident reports- Carthage man arrested with stolen car, intoxicated woman armed with handgun

(From the Galena Police Department)

For the period of April 23rd, 2018 to May 7th, 2018 your officers took 20 Incident Reports. We arrested 9 individuals on traffic charges, warrants, driving under the influence, felony drug possession and domestic battery.

On April 24th, an off duty Galena Police officer was driving through town when he noticed the suspect who fled from him on March 30th was mowing a yard up in the Empire area. The off duty officer summoned assistance from the team who was on duty at the time. The 29 year old Quapaw man was taken into custody, this time without incident, for his warrants as well as the new charges he has accrued along the way. #vindicated#neveroffduty

On April 27th, a 33 year old Galena woman was found off of the roadway in her SUV. The officer noticed the individual appeared to be impaired and was also armed with a handgun. The subsequent investigation led to her arrest on various charges including DUI, possession of a controlled substance, criminal use of a weapon, and various traffic charges. In the State of Kansas it is unlawful to be in possession of a firearm if you are addicted to a controlled substance.

Later on April 27th, a 47 year old Galena woman was taken into custody subsequent to a traffic stop for an outstanding warrant as well as other misdemeanor traffic charges.
On April 28th, a 23 year old Galena woman was taken into custody for driving without a valid license.

On April 29th a 34 year old Carthage man was stopped for not wearing his seat belt. The subsequent investigation led to the revelation of the license plate being reported stolen and the driver was arrested for possession of stolen property. A search of his person incident to arrest revealed controlled substances and paraphernalia. The man was transported to the county jail without incident. If you are planning on riding dirty, at least buckle up!

Later on April 29th, a 44 year old Galena man was arrested without incident for an outstanding felony warrant.

On May 1st, a 26 year old Baxter Springs woman was arrested for driving while suspended and failing to maintain liability insurance.

On May 4th, there was a call to Galena police of an erratic driving vehicle. The vehicle was located and after committing traffic violations in the view of the officer was stopped. The 40 year old McCune woman was investigated for DUI. The investigation revealed a large amount of evidence of impairment, however the driver tested negative for alcohol consumption. An interview of the suspect revealed she had been taking prescription medication. It is not safe for yourself or the community to operate a vehicle after taking medication which alters your ability to drive. It is also illegal! Driving Under the Influence does not just apply to alcohol!

In my career I have heard many people excuse their driving behavior by blaming medications or the doctors who prescribed them. This is not an appropriate defense or argument and if you are found operating under the influence of any substance, there will be zero tolerance in the City of Galena.

As always, all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you have any questions, or information you can contact me, Sergeant Blaine Cornelius by email at blaine.cornelius@leo.gov or by phone at 620-783-1900.