Police Chief Chat

Drug Watch: On Thursday, September 8, 2011, members of South Central Drug Task Force, in coordination with the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, concluded a series of long term narcotics investigations in Phelps County, Missouri. Over the course of approximately 18 months, officers with South Central Drug Task Force, Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Street Crimes Unit, and Missouri State Highway Patrol were able to conduct a series of narcotics investigations involving the distribution/sales/possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, heroin, and prescription medications.

The investigation involved approximately 70 individuals in and around the Phelps County, Missouri area. Grand Jury Indictments for each defendant were obtained through the Phelps County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office prior to the mass arrest operation initiated this morning. Arrest teams consist of members of the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, Maries County Sheriff’s Department, Rolla Police Department, St James Police Department, Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group, Missouri State Highway Patrol, and South Central Drug Task Force. Great job to all involved. This is the second operation of this type in as many weeks. We will continue to launch these investigations here in this community until those involved in these illegal activities, are arrested, move on or change their way of life.

This past week the Rolla Police Department handled 743 calls for service. Of these calls there were: 43 arrests, 16 alarms, 23 accidents, 49 traffic complaints, 11 check the well being, 98 traffic stops, 20 disturbance (including domestics), 12 suspicious nature, 11 assists of other agencies, 4 narcotics violations, 14 security checks, 15 escorts, 4 abandoned vehicles, 5 harassment complaints, 6 mental health, 6 trespasses, 4 recovered property, 58 911 hang ups and 6 juvenile complaints. This call total is down 105 calls from last week, but yet another busy week!

The City of Rolla Fire & Rescue and the Rolla Police Department invite the public to a remembrance ceremony for the 10th Anniversary of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The memorial ceremony, entitled “A Day of Remembrance: Honoring Those of 9/11” will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the Rolla Middle School Auditorium, in Rolla. The purpose of the hour-long commemoration is to give thanks and pay tribute to the victims and heroes who lost their lives on 9-11 and acted without fear, acted without hesitation, and gave their lives to save others. The ceremony, sponsored by the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue, will feature remarks from City of Rolla Administration, City of Rolla Fire Chief Robert Williams, Phelps County Sheriff Rick Lisenbe, Rolla Police Chief Mark Kearse, Ray Massey, Phelps County Regional Medical Center EMS, and Rolla Rural Fire Chief Bruce Southard. The tribute includes the City of Rolla Fire & Rescue Honor Guard presenting the colors with the Greentree Learning & Child Care Center performing. A traditional fire service “tolling of the bell” will conclude the service. On Sunday, in support of our great nation, we would like to ask the citizens of our community to proudly fly our great flag in remembrance of those who have fallen.

• On September 04, 2011, at approximately 10:20 a.m., the Rolla Police Department received a report of a burglary incident that occurred at a restaurant, located in the 1100 block of Kingshighway in Rolla. During the initial report, it was reported that an unidentified subject had broke into the business and had stolen an undetermined amount of cash, along with the two cash registers. During the initial follow-up investigation that was conducted by Spo. Robertson, surveillance video which had captured an image of the suspect during the commission of the crime, was seized as evidence and this information and a photograph was passed along to the other officers. At approximately 1640 hours this same afternoon, while acting on a tip that was received from the owner of the restaurant, Pto. Chris Giacolone located a suspect who matched the description of the person involved in the incident. This person was located at a business adjacent to the restaurant. As a result of his follow-up investigation, Pto Giacolone and Cpl. Derrick Dillon interviewed the suspect and obtained a full confession from the suspect regarding his involvement in the burglary. As a result of additional follow-up investigation stemming from the officers interview with the suspect, Spo. Chrissy Smith was able to locate both cash registers and recovered them from a brushy area directly behind the motel. In addition to this, several items of bloody clothing which were worn by the suspect during the commission of the crime were recovered from the suspects motel room, along with illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

As a result of the investigation that was conducted by Spo Robertson, Pto Giacolone, Spo. Smith and Cpl. Dillon, Nicholas J. Light, age 22 of Rolla was arrested for Burglary in the 2nd Degree and Stealing. Light was incarcerated on a 24 hour hold. Great job to all involved!

In closing we would like to thank the Rolla Public Schools for their donation of the new Volunteers In Police Service police car that took numerous hours of work that was put in by the students of the Rolla Technical Institute. This vehicle will make a great addition to the VIPS program. The new patrol car will be used for patrol duties, public relations and many other events.

Have a great week!


Chief Mark Kearse