Police Impersonator Last Seen In Western Kansas

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation says a man posing as a law enforcement officer while trying to cash phony checks has recently been spotted in western Kansas.

Several Kansas agencies are searching for 45-year-old Robert Wayne Helms of Pittsburg for allegedly cashing or attempting to cash phony checks in more than 20 cities across the state.

In many of those cases, Helms reportedly identifies himself as an Adams County sheriff’s deputy – a county that does not exist – and carries a gun and fake badge.

Helms was most recently seen last Friday in both Russell and Scott City.

According to Kansas Department of Corrections Records, Helms absconded in November after being paroled following a 2011 theft conviction.

Helms has been in and out of prison since 1986, according to records, and has several past forgery and worthless check convictions as well as a kidnapping conviction.

Late last month, Helms contacted law enforcement and stated he is on the run. He should be considered armed and dangerous.

Helms is described as a white man, 45-years-old, about 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighs approximately 190 pounds. He has blue eyes and short gray hair and is known to wear round glasses. He has recently been seen driving a maroon minivan, possibly a Chrysler or Dodge.

Anybody with information about Helms is asked to call their local police immediately or to contact the KBI at 1-800-KS-CRIME.

Robert Helms has allegedly tried to cash phony checks in the following cities since the beginning of the year:

• January 6 – Girard
• January 12 – Ulysses
• January 12 – Meade
• January 12 – Pratt
• January 13 – Kingman
• January 17 – Louisburg
• January 17 – Garnett
• January 18 – Phillipsburg
• January 18 – Smith Center
• January 18 – Beloit
• January 20 – Sabetha
• January 20 – Holton
• January 20 – Garnett
• January 20 – Eureka
• January 21 – Belle Plaine
• January 21 – Anthony
• January 21 – Ark City
• January 23 – Bella Vista, Arkansas
• January 24 – Blue Rapids
• January 24 – Clay Center
• January 26 – Hugoton
• January 26 – Lyons
• February 1 – Russell
• February 1 – Scott City