Tag Archive for ‘Versailles’ at On the Beat in the Bluegrass

Tag Archive for 'Versailles'

Pair charged with plotting man’s death; police say they tried to buy grenade

Published

on March 11, 2009

. 4 Comments

By Greg Kocher, gkocher1@herald-leader.com

VERSAILLES –A Harrodsburg man and woman were charged Tuesday with conspiracy to murder for allegedly planning to kill the woman’s ex-husband, Kentucky State Police said.

State police arrested Lavena K. Lear, 26, and Mark A. Jackson, 25, in Versailles. They were taken to the Woodford County jail.

The two discussed ways to complete their plans to kill Lear’s ex-husband, Brian Keith Lear, 30, of Harrodsburg, state police said in a release. Through an undercover investigation, Lavena Lear and Jackson purchased what they thought was a real grenade to use in those plans, police said.

: Lavena K. Lear

: Mark A. Jackson

The transaction through an undercover police officer took place in Versailles, where the Lears lived before moving to Harrodsburg, said Versailles Police Detective James Fugate. Versailles police assisted state police in the arrests.

The Lears were married in Mercer County in April 2004, were separated in July 2005, and were divorced in January 2006, according to Woodford court records.

Together they had one son, 4, and Lavena had another son, 6, from another relationship, according to court records.

Woodford court records indicate the marriage was turbulent, with Keith Lear accused of twice violating a domestic violence order. In 2005, Keith Lear had pulled a telephone out of the wall as Lavena tried to call police. He paid a $146.50 in fines and court costs in that case.

In 2006, Lavena Lear said Keith Lear had struck her back with a lamp during an argument. That charge was later dismissed.

The investigation is continuing.

Greg Kocher covers Jessamine County for the Herald-Leader. Reach him in the Nicholasville bureau at (859) 885-5775.

Updated | Versailles cemetery is vandalized

Published

H-L Justice Team

on February 18, 2009

in Jessamine County

. 0 Comments

By Steve Lannen - slannen@herald-leader.com

Police in Versailles were looking Wednesday for clues in the vandalism of about more than 100 headstones in the Versailles cemetery, 251 South Locust Street.

About 150 markers were knocked over and about 20 were damaged, said Pat Melton, a Versailles Police spokesman.

A little after noon, families began to show up and inspect the damage where their relatives were buried, Melton said.

“This is truly a despicable act. Why someone would get their kicks from desecrating gravestones, I don’t know,” he said.

Since the gates were locked, it appeared the vandals jumped a 4-foot rock wall, Melton said.

Felony charges are possible including institutional vandalism and criminal mischief, he said.

A $2,000 reward is offered for information leading to arrests.

If you have information, call Versailles Police (859) 873-3126.

Investigators locate car in Versailles homicide; still searching for suspect

Published

H-L Justice Team

on December 24, 2008

in Police

. 6 Comments

Herald-Leader Staff Report

Investigators have located a vehicle that was tied to a homicide in Versailles, but are still in search of the murder suspect.

Officer Pat Melton, spokesman for the Versailles Police Department, said the four-door Cadillac was found Wednesday morning on Danielle Lane in Lexington after police received a tip from a resident.

“It’s been recovered. It’s going to be taken to the state crime lab to be processed,” Melton said.

Meanwhile, Melton said police are still searching for the murder suspect: Tyran D. Gerton, 22, of Lexington.

On Tuesday, Versailles investigators began looking into several leads surrounding the Monday night homicide.

A man was shot and killed in Versailles Monday night, police said. He was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, Versailles police said.

The victim has been identified as Ricardo Velasco-Nanduca, 30.

Police were called to 231 Montgomery Avenue about 8:30 p.m., Sgt. Ron Wyatt said, and found Velasco-Nanduca in the back yard. He did not live at the house, Wyatt said.

If you have any information, call Versailles police, (859) 873-3126.

UPDATED: Man killed in Versailles

Published

H-L Justice Team

on December 23, 2008

in Police

. 5 Comments

Herald-Leader Staff Report

Versailles investigators are looking into several leads on Tuesday surrounding a Monday night homicide.

Ricardo Velasco-Nanduca, 30, was shot and killed in Versailles Monday night, police said. He was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died, Versailles police said.

Police were called to 231 Montgomery Avenue about 8:30 p.m., Sgt. Ron Wyatt said, and found Velasco in the back yard. The man did not live at the house, Wyatt said.

Police are seeking two men in an older-model, blue, four-door Cadillac.

If you have any information, call Versailles police, (859) 873-3126.

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