Wichita Man Sentenced for Using Obituaries to Plan Home Burglaries

On August 28, 2023, a Wichita man, identified as 38-year-old John Doe, was sentenced for a series of burglaries that targeted the homes of deceased individuals. Doe used obituaries to identify potential targets, planning his crimes by monitoring funeral services and visiting the homes of the deceased to assess their security measures. The burglaries occurred between January and July 2023, with Doe successfully executing multiple break-ins.

During the burglaries, Doe stole various items, including jewelry, electronics, and cash, with an estimated total value of $50,000. The most significant theft occurred at a residence on the 1200 block of North Broadway, where Doe made off with over $20,000 worth of valuables. Doe was apprehended after a neighbor spotted him fleeing the scene of one of the burglaries and alerted the police. Despite a brief chase, Doe was arrested without injury to himself or others. The police also recovered some of the stolen items during the arrest.

The Wichita Police Department has appealed to the public for any additional information that could help in recovering the remaining stolen items. They also emphasized the importance of community vigilance and reporting any suspicious activities, especially during times of mourning and funeral services. The sentence handed down to Doe includes a five-year prison term, followed by three years of supervised release, and a fine of $10,000.