Sedalia Police Reports for October 25, 2023

This article is compiled from the Sedalia Police Department crime reports. 

Author's note: The first story of the Cavalcade was first provided to the press on Tuesday morning, but did not include the name of the arrestee. The following is an updated version provided Wednesday morning of the previous item, supplemented by the probable cause statement uploaded to Casenet.

Sedalia Police Officers and Pettis County Deputies responded to Comfort Inn, 3600 West Broadway Boulevard to check the wellbeing of a subject early Tuesday morning. The subject had asked hotel staff to call the Police because he believed that people were trying to enter his room, when in fact, they were not. The clerk added she had been watching the cameras, and had seen no one in the halls of the hotel. Officers then asked the clerk where the subject was, and she began walking Officers to the hotel room. While Officers were walking down the stairs, they could hear what sounded like a gun racking. Officers then stepped back, and heard one single gunshot. While holding cover, three more shots were fired by the subject. The shooter then exited his room with the pistol in his hand. Officers and Deputies on scene gave commands, and the subject dropped the weapon. No one was injured as a result of the shooting. While searching the room, Officers found bullet casings, along with a bag of a crystal substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine. Subsequent investigation revealed that the subject was likely under the influence of a controlled substance. The subject, during questioning, admitted he is an active methamphetamine user. After speaking with the manager of the Comfort Inn, it was decided they would pursue charges for property damage, since the bullet holes and other damage were greater in value than $750.00. Richard A. Ballenger, 42, of Raytown, was placed under arrest. Charges of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Armed Criminal Action, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Property Damage in the 1st Degree, and felony Assault in the 2nd Degree are being sought.

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Monday night, Officers were dispatched to the 400 block of East 13th Street for a report of a dog bite. The caller's dog was attacked by a neighbor's dog, who had run onto the property. The suspect dog owner, Michael John Smith, 49, of Sedalia, was cited. Smith was issued citations for Animals At Large and Vicious Animals.

Officers responded to the 700 block of East Broadway Boulevard Monday afternoon for a report of a male suspect who had threatened a juvenile female with a knife.  According to the probable cause statement, the subject was reported to be sleeping in the bushes next to the Katy Trail. Officers made contact with the subject, who had two knives on his person. It was later learned the threat had occurred two weeks ago, when the juvenile approached the subject as she was walking home from school, as she thought he might be dead. He then told her to leave him alone and pulled out the pocket knife. Michael S. Brewington, 46, Homeless, was arrested on a felony charge of Assault in the 3rd Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Brewington was transported to the Pettis County Jail to be placed on a 24-hour hold, and later given a $2500 cash or surety bond.

Tuesday night, Officers took a theft report that had occurred at the Motel 6, 3402 West Broadway Boulevard. Danny J. Haggerman Jr. reported that items were stolen by a former roommate. The case is still under investigation.