Clay County, KS, Sheriff's Office Investigations Division

08/13/2026

⚠️Major Training Event Scheduled⚠️

Tomorrow, 8-13-2026, there will be a major training exercise in Clay County involving multiple agencies and departments.

Stay safe Clay County!

Undersheriff Werbin

07/30/2026

We are in a Slight Risk for severe storm overnight tonight.

Stay weather aware!

Undersheriff Werbin

A cluster of severe storms is expected to gradually weaken as it enters northeast Kansas after midnight tonight. Areas north of I-70 are most likely to see wind gusts up to 60 mph and locally heavy rainfall. Storms should become more disorganized as they track southeast across east central Kansas early Friday morning. A dry forecast returns through early next week as cooler, less humid air overspreads the region. Anticipate highs in the low 80s with overnight lows around 60!

07/26/2026

⚠️Official Order: All crime in Clay County is hereby suspended until further notice due to the extreme heat⚠️

It’s too hot to be out here committing felonies. The sidewalks are melting, the air feels like soup, and nobody — including us — wants to chase anyone right now.

Please remain law-abiding, stay in the air conditioning, and drink water like it’s your full-time job.

Thank you for your cooperation. We’ll resume normal crime-fighting operations once it cools down.

Undersheriff Werbin

07/26/2026

⚠️LOCK IT UP - EVEN IN RURAL CLAY COUNTY⚠️

A quick reminder from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office: Please lock your parked vehicles and remove the keys, valuables, and fi****ms.

Theft from vehicles remains one of the most preventable crimes nationwide. Leaving a vehicle unlocked—especially with keys, wallets, electronics, tools, or fi****ms inside—makes it an easy target for opportunistic thieves. These incidents often take only seconds and can happen anywhere, in your driveways, parking lots, at the lake, or even along rural roads.

Living in a rural area does not make us immune. While we are a close-knit community where people look out for one another, criminals still pass through or take advantage of unlocked vehicles. A moment of convenience can lead to the loss of your vehicle, property/firearm, or even the risk of that stolen weapon being used in another crime.

Simple habits that make a big difference:

✔️ Always lock your vehicle, even if you’re only stepping away for a few minutes.
✔️ Take your keys with you—never leave them in the ignition or under a mat.
✔️ Remove or securely store valuables, electronics, and fi****ms out of sight (or better yet, take them with you).
✔️ If you must leave items in the vehicle, lock them in the trunk or a secure compartment before you arrive at your destination.

A locked vehicle is a much less attractive target. Taking these few extra seconds helps protect your property and keeps our community safer.

Thank you for doing your part. If you see suspicious activity around vehicles, please report it right away by calling 911!

Stay safe Clay County,

Undersheriff Werbin

07/25/2026

🚨🚨UPDATE-THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECOVERED AND RETURNED TO IT'S OWNER!🚨🚨

⚠️Clay County Sheriff’s Office – Stolen Vehicle Alert⚠️

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help locating the following:
➡️ 2013 gold Cadillac SRX bearing Kansas tag 5536AHX. See attached photo.

➡️The vehicle was stolen from the 700 block of Grove Street in Wakefield sometime between 9:00 p.m. on July 24, 2026, and 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2026.

Anyone with information, video footage from the area, or who observed suspicious activity is asked to contact:

📞 Undersheriff Werbin at (785) 632-5601 ext. 5
📨 Email: [email protected]
📱 private message to this page

If you locate this vehicle, do not approach it. Call 911 immediately.
Thank you for your assistance.

Undersheriff Werbin

07/19/2026

A DEDICATED AND RELENTLESS WARRIOR LAID TO REST: Always Remember Deputy U.S. Marshal Michael Andrew Hanson, United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government. May your memory live in our hearts forever | 🇺🇸⚫️🔵⚫️🇺🇸

07/07/2026

⚠️ Suspect identified ⚠️ Thank you everyone for you assistance!

🚨 Scrap Metal Theft – We Need Your Help Identifying a Suspect 🚨

The Clay County Sheriff's Office is investigating yet another scrap metal theft, this one occurring during the evening of Sunday, July 5, 2026, in the 2900 block of Frontier Rd.

We are once again asking our great Facebook sleuths for assistance in identifying the individual captured in the photo below in connection with this theft.

If you recognize this person, please contact Undersheriff Werbin directly:

Phone: (785) 632-5601 ext. 5
Email: [email protected]
Private Message: to this page

Your information will be kept confidential. Every tip helps us keep our rural communities safe and hold thieves accountable.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and support!

Undersheriff Werbin

07/04/2026

🚨 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING #2 7-3-2026 UNTIL 945PM 🚨

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for portions of Clay, Dickinson, Geary, Pottawatomie, and Riley Counties.
This warning is in effect until 9:45 PM CDT tonight (Friday, July 3, 2026).

At 9:14 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Clay Center, moving southeast at 40 mph.

Hazards (Radar Indicated):
✔️60 mph wind gusts
✔️Penny-sized hail (0.75")

Expected Impacts:
➡️Damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Areas Impacted Include:
Clay Center, Wakefield, Longford, Oak Hill, Manchester, Westmoreland, Riley, Milford, Leonardville, Olsburg, Randolph, Milford Lake, Keats, Tuttle Creek Lake, and surrounding communities in the warned counties.

Take Action Now:
➡️Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
➡️Stay away from windows and exterior walls.
➡️If you are outside, in a vehicle, or in a mobile/manufactured home — seek sturdy shelter immediately.

Secure loose outdoor items only if it is safe to do so.
This storm is moving quickly. Stay weather aware and have a way to receive alerts (NOAA weather radio, phone alerts, etc.).

Monitor the National Weather Service Topeka or local media for any updates. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office will share additional information as needed.

Stay safe, everyone.

Undersheriff Werbin

07/04/2026

🚨 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING 7-3-2026 UNTIL 930PM🚨

The National Weather Service in Topeka has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Clay County and several neighboring counties.

In effect until: 9:30 PM CDT tonight (Friday, July 3, 2026)

Counties affected: Clay, Cloud, Marshall, Ottawa, Republic, Riley, and Washington
Hazards:
✔️Hail up to 1.25 inches (half-dollar size) – observed by trained spotters
✔️Wind gusts up to 60 mph – radar indicated

A line of severe thunderstorms was located at 8:39 PM CDT from near Hanover to near Palmer to 3 miles southwest of Clyde to 3 miles south of Asherville, moving southeast at 40 mph.

Areas impacted include: Clay Center, Morganville, Glasco, Linn, Oak Hill, and surrounding parts of Clay County, along with Concordia, Marysville, Washington, Blue Rapids, Clyde, Hanover, Waterville, Clifton, Miltonvale, and other nearby communities.

What you should do right now:
➡️Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building
➡️Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls
➡️Secure loose outdoor items if you can do so safely

If you are driving, get to a building for shelter — do not stay in your vehicle during large hail

Hail damage to vehicles is expected. Wind damage to roofs, siding, trees, and power lines is possible.

This is a dangerous situation. Please take shelter immediately if you are in the warned area and stay weather aware.

See the attached radar image and full warning text for details.

Please share this post with friends, family, and neighbors in Clay County and the surrounding area. Monitor the National Weather Service Topeka, local media, or this page for updates.

If you experience damage or have an emergency, call 911.

Stay safe, Clay County!

Undersheriff Werbin

06/21/2026

⚠️ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 3AM SUNDAY, JUNE 21ST, 2026⚠️

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of Central and Northern Kansas, including Clay County, through 3:00 AM CDT Sunday morning (effective from 7:20 PM CDT tonight).

Primary Threats:
✔️ Scattered damaging winds with isolated gusts up to 80 mph
✔️ Isolated large hail up to 2 inches in diameter
✔️ A tornado or two possible (especially embedded in a squall line)

Clusters of severe thunderstorms are expected to move into our area this evening and continue overnight. Strong gusts and heavy rain are likely.

Please take the following actions:
➡️ Have a way to receive weather alerts (NOAA weather radio, phone alerts, or local media)
➡️ Secure loose outdoor items that could become projectiles in high winds
➡️ Avoid travel if possible during the strongest storms

Stay informed and be ready to move to a safe, sturdy shelter if warnings are issued

This is a watch — conditions are favorable for severe weather. We will post updates as new information becomes available.

Monitor official sources:
National Weather Service - US National Weather Service Topeka Kansas

Stay safe, Clay County! Be weather-aware tonight.

Undersheriff Werbin