Men charged over alleged roles in ring that carried out at least 100 burglaries

Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson announced charges Friday against three men allegedly involved in a burglary ring responsible for at least 100 small business burglaries across the Kansas City metropolitan area, according to a press release from Jackson County Prosecutors Office Director of Communications Jazzlyn Johnson.

Five men in all have been charged, according to the press release.

Idonnas J. Gavrilys faces four counts each of first-degree burglary and armed criminal action, and two counts of second-degree burglary, according to Jackson County court documents.

Gavrilys was identified as the alleged leader of the burglary operation, according to the press release.

Dante K. Draper faces 17 counts of second-degree burglary and two counts each of first-degree burglary, armed criminal action and stealing, according to court documents.

Michael L. Hill faces six counts of second-degree burglary and one count of first-degree property damage, according to court documents.

The ring involved at least six people, according to the press release. The group follows “a consistent pattern when burglarizing businesses,” the release stated.

The businesses that were burglarized have been redacted from court records.

The group allegedly stole cash, register drawers and safes while wearing dark clothing and masks, according to court documents.

Detectives identified the group in 2024 after noticing a pattern among burglaries, according to court documents. The group would allegedly break windows of small businesses, enter and steal property.

Officers identified Gavrilys through phone records, according to court documents. The man’s phone was powered off or in airplane mode during multiple burglaries.

Additionally, the men were identified through multiple cars routinely used near burglary sites, according to court documents. Some of the vehicles were allegedly stolen.