Wichita Man Pleads to Kidnapping and Aggravated Robbery

07/28/2009
CONTACT INFO: Charles Branson Douglas County District Attorney 785-841-0211 cbranson@douglas-county.com Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announces today that Wichita resident Donald B. Bartsma, 42; plead guilty today to Kidnapping (level 3/person/felony) and Aggravated Robbery (Non Drug/Level 3/Person/Felony) in the case that occurred on February 13, 2008 in the Kohl's Department Store parking lot. Investigation into the case began when the 24 year old female victim reported she had been kidnapped and robbed by a man armed with a pocket knife. The woman was getting into her vehicle which was parked in the lot and a man, later identified as Bartsma, forced his way into her car, covered her mouth with his hand and held a knife to her. He threatened her with bodily harm if she yelled or did not cooperate. He proceeded to force her into the passenger's seat and drove her to her bank at 27th and Iowa and forced her to withdraw $100.00 from her account. He then drove her into rural Douglas County, pulled over and told her to lean over and count to 100. Bartsma then fled the area by getting into an escape vehicle driven by an accomplice that had been following him. It was later learned the escape car had been stolen by the pair from a Wichita woman on Friday, February 8th. The victim in this case stated she counted to 50 before she looked up and realized Bartsma was gone. "The victim in this case was very fortunate to have not been hurt and I am relieved Bartsma is no longer a threat to our community," advised Branson. Bartsma who is currently serving a sentence in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections for First Degree Robbery and Attempted Second Degree Robbery (both incidents occurred later the same day as the Douglas County case) faces 55-247 months in custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the Kidnapping charge and 31-136 months in custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections for the Aggravated Robbery charge. He will be sentenced on September 1 at 11:00 a.m. Bartsma's accomplice, Troy Pryor, previously entered a plea to robbery and was sentenced to 49 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections. His time is to run consecutive to time he is serving in the custody of the Missouri Department of Corrections. The case was heard in the courtroom of the Honorable Sally D. Pokorny, the case was investigated by the Lawrence Police Department and Assistant District Attorney Gregory Benefiel prosecuted the case. -30-

Media Contact:
Cheryl L. Wright-Assistant to the District Attorney
District Attorney's Office
785-841-0211
cwright@douglas-county.com