Police arrest juveniles in connection with zoo bird deaths

Emporia Police took less than four weeks to arrest suspects in connection with the June 22 vandalism and killings of four birds at the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia. Three juveniles — two 11-year-olds and one 13-year-old — were arrested Friday and accused of killing two black swans and two cereopsis geese in the after-hours incident at the zoo. The trio also has been charged with burglary and criminal damage to property. They are accused of breaking into the zoo’s locked exhibit area and breaking or damaging a number of flower containers, according to an earlier report of the incident. The 13-year-old also is charged with driving without a valid driver’s license. Emporia Police Deputy Chief Mike Williams said he was not surprised that the case had been resolved. “I felt all along this would be brought to a conclusion,’... [read full story]