On July 7, 2019 at approximately 4:23 am Parsons Police Officers responded to a call about a man bleeding and armed with a knife in the 1500 block of Corning.

When officers arrived, they discovered that the man was no longer there but were able to talk to witnesses that said the man's name was Nick Gaskins, 31 of Parsons, and that he may also be armed with a gun. During the investigation it was discovered that Gaskins had become upset and damaged a vehicle injuring his hands causing the bleeding that was reported. Gaskins then took off from the area on foot after giving the reported knife and gun to his sister.

Gaskins was reported as being heavily under the influence, bleeding, and extremely upset. Officers began getting reports of Gaskins being in the park and in other areas of town. It was then reported that a Chevy El Camino was driving erratically on 16th street heading north toward Walmart. Officer Kyle Shields found the vehicle that was discovered as stolen and Gaskins at Walmart harassing the original victims from the original damaged vehicle. The El Camino that Gaskins was driving was stolen from the 2200 block of Clark, and when it was recovered it was found to have substantial damage to it.  

Gaskins was arrested, unarmed, on a City of Parsons Municipal warrant and is being charged with Theft of a Motor Vehicle, two counts of Criminal Damage, Reckless Driving and Driving with No Valid Driver's License. Gaskins is also the primary suspect in multiple vehicle burglaries and attempted vehicle burglaries throughout the area. Evidence was collected at the scenes of the burglary cases and is being sent to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) Crime Lab.

Parsons Police Chief Robert Spinks says "this case was closed through good hard policework and citizens reporting suspicious activity. I have no doubt that this investigation will end in a conviction." Spinks continued "we will investigate, arrest and charge you if you harass the good community of Parsons."

This continues to be an on-going investigation and citizens are encouraged to "See It, Hear It, Report It." If anyone has any further information on this incident or any other criminal activity, please contact the Parsons Police Department at 421-7060 or call the Tip Line at 421-7057 or email at tips@parsonspd.com.

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