Kansas City man charged in Betty Rae’s burglary gets 7 years in prison
A Kansas City man accused of breaking into the Betty Rae’s Ice Cream shop in the River Market in October and stealing a safe has been sentenced to seven years in prison.
John Heckman, 78, pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary and first-degree property damage in Jackson County Circuit Court and was handed the sentence Monday for the break-in.
“Our office remains committed to protecting our small businesses, which contribute so much to our community,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said in a statement. “Too many small business owners are facing financial hardships and inconveniences as a result of repeat burglaries. We will continue to pursue appropriate consequences for those who repeatedly victimize businesses in Jackson County.”
In an email to The Star, Sean Baker, Heckman’s attorney, said his client took full responsibility for his actions Monday.
“He will be 79 years old in August, and I pray that he is able to spend some of his remaining years outside of prison,” he said.
Kansas City police were called to the Betty Rae’s location on Delaware Street on Oct. 13 and discovered a broken glass door and that a safe had been stolen, according to court documents.
The business reported it would cost $1,700 to fix the door and about $2,000 to replace the safe, according to court documents. The business also reported the safe contained about $1,800 in cash.
Investigators linked Heckman to the break-in using surveillance footage, and he was arrested in Kansas City, Kansas, a few days after the burglary, according to law enforcement.
This story was originally published May 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM.
