One day after the Great Bend Police Department asked for the public’s helping in locating a 30-year-old man who allegedly held a woman inside a local residence against her will, Bobby Stark is in custody.
The GBPD posted this message on its Facebook page around 3 p.m. Tuesday:
“Several media outlets have been running stories advising that the Great Bend Police Department is searching for Bobby Stark. We wanted to let the public know that Mr. Stark has been located and taken into custody by law enforcement authorities in Larned. Thank you to the media and to all of the members of the public who helped us out.”
According to a news release issued on Monday, officers last saw Stark the night of Wednesday, Dec. 14, when they checked on an open-line call to 911. An officer went to 3408 Lakin Ave., where the phone call appeared to come from, around 10:15 p.m. Stark came outside, told the officer there was nothing wrong, then went inside and shut the door.
The officer walked toward the front door to investigate and heard a woman inside calling for help. The officer forced the door open just as Stark was running out the back door. The woman in the residence said Stark had held her against her will all day, and that she had secretly called 911 to get help.
Officers were unable to locate Stark that night but ascertained he had outstanding arrest warrants for probation violations. According to the Kansas Department of Corrections website, he absconded in October.
The investigation into the woman’s allegations was ongoing at last report.