For the month of October 2024, the Ellis Police Department responded to 153 calls for service, conducted 32 traffic stops, and issued 1 traffic citation.
The Ellis Police Department also conducted several felony and misdemeanor investigations, resulting in 4 adult arrests.
The following adults were arrested in October by the Ellis Police Department:
On 10/06/2024, James Bieker was arrested on suspicion of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (1st Offense). He was cited and released after testing.
On 10/06/2024, Dakoda Elliott was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was cited and released.
On 10/07/2024, Holly Liscum was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Oxycodone, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp. She was booked into the Ellis County Jail.
On 10/07/2024, Austin Smith was arrested on suspicion of Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Oxycodone, Criminal Use of Weapons, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Kansas Drug Tax Stamp. He was booked into the Ellis County Jail.
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
On 10/07/2024, an Ellis Police Officer on proactive patrol interrupted the plans of a pair of Interstate travelers as they stayed in the Days Inn Hotel. While patrolling the parking lot of the Days Inn, an Ellis Police Officer noticed a suspicious vehicle that was backed into a parking spot on the south end of the lot, tucked behind a trailer. As the officer approached the vehicle, he smelled the odor of marijuana. Much to the officer’s surprise, a very large stainless-steel pot was sitting near the vehicle, in plain view with the top open enough to see inside. On the inside of the pot, the officer was able to see a large amount of what he suspected to be marijuana. The officer requested assistance and began an investigation. Upon checking the vehicle's registration, it was discovered that the displayed temporary registration plate was being used illegally. Officers were then aided by hotel staff, who assisted in locating the owners of the vehicle. Officers then went to room 218 and contacted Holly Liscum and Austin Smith, who consented to a search of their hotel room. Smith also admitted to hiding a handgun in the room’s toilet as officers were knocking on the door to the room. Officers located illicitly obtained prescription drugs as well as suspected heroin in the hotel room and were later granted a search warrant to search the room as well as the vehicle that was in the parking lot. Both Liscum and Smith were transported to the Ellis County Jail where they were booked and are presently being held on $50,000 bonds. I’d like to thank the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance with this case.
On 10/31/2024 Sgt. Kolas and Chief Smith were invited to speak to the teachers and staff of our local schools at the Ellis High School Auditorium. The topic of conversation was active shooter/ armed intruder incidents. Sgt. Kolas is a TEEX ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) Active Shooter Instructor. Staff members were shown statistical data and examples of officer responses to active shooter incidents. Staff were also shown strategies that can be used in an active shooter incident to help keep their students and themselves safe. In today’s day and age, teachers must receive adequate training and education on responding to an active shooter. The Ellis Police Department remains committed to our schools' security and safety; we believe every child deserves a safe environment to learn.
Thank you all for your patience, as this activity report was delayed by several days. I have had a busy past few weeks and have not had the time to provide it to you.
As always, we are taking photo submissions to use for these monthly reports. You can send them to the Facebook page or email them to me at [email protected].
Thank you for all your support!
-Chief Smith