Father Leaves Children, Runs from Police

Four children under the age of 10 are safe after their father abandoned them in a van at the scene of a crime in Salina.

Police arrested 27-year-old Justin Kemmerer of Jewell, Kansas on Saturday after officers were called to the Ambassador Hotel, 1616 W. Crawford at about noon.

Police say staff at the hotel observed Kemmerer prying open a coin operated washing machine with a knife while his four children sat in a van outside the hotel.

Kemmerer ran from the scene and left his children behind in the vehicle.

He later returned and was arrested on charges of attempted theft, damage to property and child endangerment.

The children, age 9, 6, 4 and 2 were left in the care of their mother.