Jun 30, 2022

Police: 2 Kansas men caused $50K in damage to train, railcars

Posted Jun 30, 2022 3:00 PM
Berardy-photo Shawnee Co.
Berardy-photo Shawnee Co.

SHAWNEE COUNTY—Law enforcement authorities are investigating burglary and have two suspects in custody.

Just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, an alert citizen saw suspicious activity in the area of the 3700 block of NW Lower Silver Lake Road, according to Police Lt. Manuel Munoz.

The citizen could see two subjects prowling in the area where a Union Pacific train engine was parked and called police.

Officers arrived and observed one individual coming out from the inside of the train engine compartment and he took off running from the scene. Another subject was found nearby and he fled from the scene as well. Officers quickly set up a perimeter and located both individuals nearby where they were taken into custody.

Good-photo Shawnee Co.
Good-photo Shawnee Co.

During the investigation, it was discovered that several rail cars and Union Pacific equipment had been broken into and stripped of their copper. Preliminary estimates are damages in excess of $50,000.00.

As a result of the investigation, John T. Good, 47, and, William L. Berardy, 27, both of Topeka were transported to Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Burglary, Felony Theft, Aggravated Criminal Damage, Felony Obstruction and Trespass on Railroad Property, according to Munoz.