Red Oak Police Chief Justin Rhamy reports two Kansas City men have been indicted in connection with a $1-million conspiracy to steal 1,400 cell phones in dozens of separate burglaries, including in Red Oak. On March 26, 2019 a forced-entry burglary occurred at Chat Mobility in Red Oak. The same individuals deemed responsible for the Red Oak break-in, also attempted to make entry or succeeded in doing so, at Chat Mobility Stores in Emerson and Clarinda. As the result of multi-jurisdictional investigation among several southwest Iowa and multiple other State and Federal Agencies, 29-year old Viktor Chernetskiy, a naturalized citizen of the Ukraine, and 29-year old Bryan C. Kirkendoll, II, were charged in a five-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, MO., Wednesday, June 26th,

The indictment replaces a criminal complaint filed June 14th. Chernetskiy remains in federal custody without bond, while Kirkendoll was released on bond. The federal indictment alleges both men participated in a conspiracy to steal electronic devices – primarily cell phones – from stores in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Illinois and Oklahoma. As the phones were transported across state lines, in order to sell them, both men were charged with transporting stolen property across state lines, with Chernetskiy facing four counts and Kirkendoll three counts.

The indictment says both men committed 48 burglaries from Nov. 21, 2018 to June 14, 2019, during which they stole about 1,401 electronic devices worth more about $1-million, 8,742. In each instance, the stores were hit after hours, and the conspirators wore clothing designed to conceal their identity and limit any trace evidence left behind. They also allegedly tried to unsuccessfully pry open a safe at one location.