Early on Monday, Parsons Police Department officers responded to a report of a suspicious person in the 1400 block of Belmont, leading to the arrest of a repeat offender with a lengthy criminal history.
Just before 3 a.m., a citizen contacted police after observing an individual acting suspiciously in the neighborhood. The suspicious person was on a bicycle with an attached cart in tow and was snooping around a vacant house. Cpl. Rory Johnson located a man matching the description provided. When Johnson attempted to make contact, the individual immediately ran and entered a nearby residence.
Johnson pursued the suspect and made entry into the residence, where he located and apprehended the individual, later identified as Neil Avery, 45, of Parsons. During the encounter, Avery actively resisted arrest and fought with officers. He was taken into custody and initially booked on charges of interference with law enforcement and battery on a law enforcement officer.
Following the arrest, the Labette County Attorney’s Office amended the charges to include two felony counts of interference with law enforcement. During Avery’s first appearance in Labette County District Court, a judge issued a $20,000 cash/ surety bond.
Avery is a registered offender stemming from a 2015 conviction for distribution of narcotics and is required to register through May 17, 2036. He has a criminal history spanning more than two decades, including: — Multiple convictions for Battery on Law Enforcement Officers — Disorderly Conduct — Burglary — Obstruction of Legal Process — Driving Under the Influence — Possession of Controlled Substances and Drug Paraphernalia with Intent to Manufacture/Distribute Avery was most recently arrested in July 2024 by the Parsons Registered Offender Program (PROP) for violations of the Kansas Offender Registration Act. He is currently out on felony bond and is scheduled for sentencing in August on that case.
“This arrest is yet another example of the power of our community working together through our ‘see it, hear it, report it’ philosophy,” said Lt. Kyle Wiford. “Thanks to a vigilant citizen who took the time to report suspicious activity, a multi-time felon was taken off the streets before further harm could occur.”
The Parsons Police Department encourages all residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and being the eyes and ears that help keep the community safe.
This continues to be an ongoing investigation. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060, the tip line at 421-7057 or email tips@parsonspdks. gov.
