Bondsman Catches Felon on Extended Lunch Break

A convicted drug dealer who fled during a lunch break of his trial for selling crack cocaine near a school has been returned to custody.

Aunrekki D. West, 23, of Kansas City, Kan., was apprehended by a bail bondsman on Wednesday, Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd said.

The bondsman turned West over to Platte County sheriff's deputies at about 9:45 p.m. He is being held in the Platte County Detention Center on $350,000 cash bond.

West was on trial in Platte County on Jan. 10 when he disappeared during a lunch break. The trial continued in his absence and West was found guilty of drug trafficking and selling drugs near Chinn Elementary School in the Park Hill School District.

West faces up to three life sentences in prison.