A raid of a farmstead about three miles northeast of Piqua shortly after 6 a.m. Sunday failed to produce Brian Shields, 26, wanted in the murder of a Chanute woman, Cristy K. Wiles.
Allen County Sheriff Bryan Murphy said what was considered credible information was received in the previous few days indicating that Shields had been on the property and that it was possible he would be there overnight Saturday.
That prompted the sheriff to obtain a search warrant.
The search of a house and several outbuildings was done by members of the Kansas Highway Patrol special response team, assisted by Allen County, Iola and Chanute officers. A Highway Patrol fixed-wing aircraft with special detection equipment was flying nearby, in case a suspect tried to flee.
“We felt confident we’d find Shields this time,” Murphy said, in reference to a similar raid of an apartment last month in the first block of East Street.
A second suspect, Michelle Voorhees, 21, was arrested earlier. She and Shields have been charged with first-degree murder in Wiles’ death. Her body was found in a Chanute residence that burned in January.
Anyone having information concerning the whereabouts of Shields, a white male 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, is encouraged to contact Chanute police officers, 620-431-5768.
Raid fails to produce suspect
