Olathe Police Searching for Armed Intruder

OLATHE, Kan. — Police are investigating after an armed man forced his way into an Olathe home on Wednesday morning.

According to authorities, the suspect – armed with a handgun – forced his way through the front door of a home at the Village Green Townhomes complex in the 1300 block of East 120th Street in Olathe around 9:30 a.m.

Police say a man who was at home with his two young children answered a knock at the door and received the scare of his life.

“There was a knock on a door and a rather large man with a gun just kind of burst in when they went to see who was there,” said neighbor Michael Laurie.

Neighbor Michael Laurie was bringing his daughter home from her first day of school when they saw their complex blocked off by police. No one was allowed in or out.

“We started praying,” Laurie said.

The man and this two children were able to escape through the back door to a nearby business where they called police.

Police sent a SWAT team inside the home around noon and found the suspect was no longer inside. They’re not sure if the suspect targeted the townhouse because his mini van made it clear someone was home at a time when neighbors are usually at work.

“We used a tactical robot to enter the residence at which point, we cleared the residence, the subject was not there, ” said Sgt. Grant Allen with Olathe Police.

Officers aren’t sure if anything was taken from the family’s home.

The suspect was described as a heavy-set white male, 6′ – 6’2″, with dark hair and dark-rimmed glasses and wearing black overalls and black shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Olathe Police Department at (913) 971-6950, or the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-TIPS.