Hearings set this week in local burglary case

By Jennifer McDaniel, jennifermcdaniel@miconews.com

Two Paola residents allegedly tied to a string of burglaries in Spring Hill, Gardner and Paola appeared in Miami County District Court on Thursday morning with the hopes of having their $50,000 bonds reduced.

Travis J. Cron, 24, and Jeanette L. Heller, 31, both of 404 W. Piankishaw St., have been charged with auto burglary, forgery, unlawful use of a financial card and possession of drug paraphernalia and marijuana. Their arrests were the result of a five-month investigation among Spring Hill and Paola police departments and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.

Cron, who appeared with his court-appointed attorney, Mary Stephenson, requested the court modify his bond. Assistant County Attorney Norah Clark opposed the request, stating Cron had a “substantial” criminal history, including previous offenses of criminal damage to property and arson. Clark said that if the court decided to reduce Cron’s bond, it should be negligible. However, his bond remained at $50,000.

Heller, who appeared without an attorney, also asked for her $50,000 bond to be reduced.

“This is my first offense,” Heller said tearfully. “I’m not a flight risk.”

Clark said she did not oppose a reduction in Heller’s case. The court decreased the bond by half, setting it at $25,000.

According to police, Cron and Heller would allegedly break into vehicles overnight, take credit cards and personal checks and then make purchases at a Paola business during the early morning hours. Items were stolen from vehicles in Spring Hill, Paola and Gardner.

Cron and Heller are scheduled to again appear in court at 1:45 p.m. Friday