Terroristic Threats, ATV Theft Case Moving Forward

SIDNEY--Brian Atkins of Sidney appeared in Cheyenne County Court on Monday, April 15, concerning charges of the Use of a Deadly Weapon, Making Terroristic Threats and Theft. Judge Randin Roland presided, with Cheyenne County Attorney Paul Schaub acting as prosecutor, and Gary Krajewski representing Mr. Atkins. Mr. Atkins is currently being held at the Cheyenne County Prison, and appeared in person to answer to the charges.

The first charge that was addressed was the Terroristic Threats Charge. In conjunction with that case, Schaub agreed to dismiss charges of Possession of a Deadly Weapon against Mr. Atkins. Sidney Police Officer Tristan Meyer testified that on March 1, 2024, he responded to a call from the Rodeway Inn about a man swinging a chainsaw outside of room 106 at the motel. Officer Meyer went to room 106 where he then spoke with Mr. Atkins, who admitted that he did have a chainsaw and that he and his girlfriend had an argument. After determining that the situation had deescalated, Officer Meyer left and parked about two blocks away, as he believed the situation might again become heated. Soon after, the owner of the inn called and said that he saw Atkins in a car with his girlfriend, and he saw Atkins strike the female. Meyer returned to the scene, but Atkins had fled. Meyer spoke with the female who said that she was struck in the face and that Atkins pulled a knife on her and threatened to kill her. Meyer noted that the female had a visible red mark on her face, apparently from being struck by Atkins. Atkins was later picked up and arrested.

Defense attorney Krajewski cross-examined Meyer, and he noted that Meyer did not include that Atkins had threatened the female's life in the police report. Meyer said that although he did not include that statement on the report, he was wearing a body camera and the statement made by the female victim would be on that video. Judge Roland then determined that based on the evidence there was enough to move forward with charges and set a court date of May 7 for the next hearing.

The second case against Mr. Atkins was then addressed, involving the theft of two All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs). Sidney Police Officer Chris Worek testified that he was dispatched to a residence on Virginia Lane about an ATV theft on February 21, 2024. The resident said his wife heard a Honda ATV drive off while she was in the house, and then called her husband to see if he had let someone borrow his ATV. The husband did not, and seeing the ATV missing, contacted the Sidney police. The ATV also had a snow-blade attachment, and its overall value was estimated at $6,000. On February 23, 2024, Sidney Police received another report of a Kawasaki ATV being stolen, this one also with a snowblade attachment. The police also received a call that neighbors on Manor Drive in Sidney had seen ATVs driving into the backyard of one of the residences that they had never seen before. Sidney Police obtained a search warrant and went to the residence and spoke with Todd Parsley and two females. Parsley had in his possession the keys to one of the ATVs but claimed that Atkins brought the ATVs to him to be repaired. Parsley claimed that the Kawasaki ATV had wiring and other problems, while Atkins took the Honda ATV back with him. The Honda ATV was eventually found abandoned on the side of the road in Sterling, CO, while the Kawasaki was found at the Manor Drive residence of Mr. Parsley. The Kawasaki was not operable and had parts missing. Parsley claimed that Atkins lived with him at the Manor Drive address. Although Krajeski argued that the ATV was in Parsley's possession, Judge Roland said the evidence shows that Atkins was the one who brought the stolen ATVs to the residence. Parsley was charged with receiving stolen property. Roland said the case will proceed against Atkins and scheduled a hearing for May 7. Atkins was remanded to the Cheyenne County Jail.