Wednesday’s preliminary hearing for Emporia’s former Underground Utilities supervisor was delayed, in large part because the charges have been amended.
Originally, Kevin Wiggins had one count of theft of property or services connected to the alleged theft of less than $1,500 between July 2023 and this past February, with an alternate count specifically for July 31, 2023 and connected to the alleged theft of less than $1,500 worth of scrap metal. Wiggins now faces two counts of theft of property or services involving less than $1,500 and three businesses over 72 hours between April 2023 and this past April 16. The city of Emporia is the only alleged victim in the new counts.
Wiggins, 51, was initially arrested April 26 after what Emporia Police Capt. Lisa Hayes called suspicious activity on city property earlier in the month. Hayes also says the investigation led to other parts of Kansas and as far away as Iowa.
Wiggins had served as the Underground Utilities supervisor since June 2020. He is no longer a city employee.
Wiggins’ new hearing date is June 25.
