Riley County Police Report Rape, Make 11 Arrests

MANHATTAN, Kan. — Riley County Police filed a report for rape and made 11 arrests during a 24-hour period ending Thursday morning, according to the department's daily media report.

Officers responded to a rape report in Manhattan on Wednesday at approximately 7:45 p.m. A 19-year-old woman was listed as the victim, and an unknown man was listed as the suspect. Police released no additional information due to the nature of the crime.

Among Thursday's arrests, Wylee Schmit, 35, of Manhattan, faces charges of battery on a law enforcement officer after an incident in the 1000 block of Seth Child Road on Wednesday at approximately 12:04 p.m. A 20-year-old officer was listed as the victim. Schmit was issued a $6,000 bond and remained confined in Riley County Jail.

Benigno Aquino Jr., 41, of Salina, was arrested Wednesday at approximately 6:13 p.m. in the 1700 block of Fair Lane on a Riley County District Court warrant for probation violation. The arrest stems from original charges of methamphetamine possession. Aquino was issued an $8,000 bond and remained confined.

Cherlynn Rachel, 32, of Lawrence, was arrested Wednesday at approximately 2:19 p.m. in the 1000 block of Seth Child Road on a warrant for probation violation related to original charges of three counts of domestic battery. Rachel was issued no bond and remained confined.

Pamela Hall, 20, of Manhattan, was arrested Wednesday at approximately 1:08 p.m. in the 100 block of North Fourth Street on a probation violation warrant stemming from original charges of two counts of criminal threat and two counts of battery. Hall was issued a $5,000 bond and is no longer confined.

Other arrests included Justin Michael Berger, 42, of Hudson, on suspicion of driving under the influence and related charges; Justin Setima Piinuu, 32, of Manhattan, on suspicion of theft; and Joshua Alexander Garrison, 23, of North Charleston, South Carolina, for failure to comply with diversion.

Two individuals were arrested on out-of-county failure-to-appear warrants: Philtasha Trayveon Powell, 29, of Topeka, on a Johnson County warrant, and Deborah Lynne Cobler, 36, of Topeka, on a Shawnee County warrant.

Citations issued

Riley County Police also issued numerous citations during the reporting period.

Traffic-related citations included multiple violations for no proof of motor vehicle liability, as well as citations for disobey traffic control device, improper driving on laned road, unsafe turning or stopping, and failure to yield right of way at intersection. Several speeding citations were issued at various locations throughout Manhattan.

Additional citations were issued for vehicle tags that were expired or illegible, improper use of roadways by pedestrians, and unlawful use of license.

Other violations cited included cell phone use while driving, criminal damage to property, and possession or consumption of alcohol by a minor.

Anyone with information about the rape or any other crime can contact Riley County Police or Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers. Using Crime Stoppers allows callers to remain anonymous and could qualify them for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.