Three Elementary School Playgrounds Damaged in Blue Valley

Over the last week, three fires have been set at Elementary School playgrounds in the Blue Valley School District. Police say the fires are suspicious and connected (no shit).

The first fire was at Cedar Hills Elementary on west 165th St in Overland Park. It occurred around 10 PM last Friday. Later that evening a fire occurred nearby at Morse Elementary - 152nd and Monrovia at around 1:30 AM. The third fire was reported at Liberty View Elementary on Tuesday night around 1 AM. This fire was also near the others just into Olathe.

The Liberty View fire damage estimate is $75,000, basically a total loss for the play structures. An estimate has not been given on the other two fires, but 80% of the playgrounds are consumed likely leading to the entire structure being replaced. At a time with when budgets are tight, I sure hope they catch the (probably kids) that are guilty of this. Assholes.

Kidnapping and Bank Robbery in Overland Park

A bizarre story of kidnapping and bank robbery is unfolding in Overland Park this morning. According to Jim Weaver of the Overland Park Police Department, the victim, who is a 20yr old employee of the US Bank on 119th st near 69 Hwy, was abducted in the parking lot of his apartment complex last night. Supposedly, the robber/kidnapper took the man and his car to the bank early this morning where the employee opened up the bank and it was robbed.

The victim was found this morning by another employee opening up the bank at around 7:30AM. He had been beaten and was tied to a chair. An FBI spokesperson said the suspect is a white male, 6 feet tall, 180 pounds between 30 and 40 years old. He was last seen in a gray t-shirt driving the victim's light blue 2008 Chevy Aveo (nice car). No word on how much money was stolen.

This story sounds a little weird to me. An inside job maybe? In fact, I wouldn't at all be surprised if the "victim" in this case was also the perpetrator (or one of the perps). If I am wrong, this kid sure is lucky he wasn't killed. I'm sure we will know sometime in the near future. We will keep you posted here on Kansas City News.