MATTER SUBMITTED TO PROSECUTOR FOR REVIEW
Police were called to the scene of a disagreement involving Parkville’s mayor at a car wash in the city on June 22 around 7:30 p.m.
Parkville Police Chief Kevin Chrisman says the mayor of Parkville, Dean Katerndahl, was involved in a situation that began as “a verbal thing” at a vacuum hose at the Go Car Wash located at 8717 NW 63rd St. along Hwy. 9.
As words were being exchanged, a young female, believed to be in her early 20s, alleges that the mayor “physically assaulted her in some fashion,” Chrisman said. “The mayor denies the assault.”
Chrisman said no one was hurt and no one was arrested. The police chief explained there is a video from the car wash that has been reviewed by police as part of their investigation. There is no audio with the video.
Chrisman said police have completed their investigation and submitted the matter to the city prosecutor, Andrew Coulson, for his review and a decision on any charges. It is not known when that decision will be made.
The Landmark reached Katerndahl by phone on Thursday and asked his version of events.
Katerndahl, age 81, said his wife “was verbally attacked by this woman when we got out to do the vacuum and I took exception and some names were called.”
The mayor said there seemed to be confusion over which vacuum hose was to be servicing the stall in which the vehicles were parked. One hose in that area was apparently not functional, the mayor said.
“When we pulled in, she was next to us on the passenger side. My wife got out and the woman said ‘why the hell don’t you go somewhere else,’” Katerndahl stated. “My wife touched her on the shoulder and said sorry, ‘we didn’t realize.’”
“(The woman) took a photo of my license plate and I tried to take a photo of hers, but she covered it up. I may have brushed against her as I tried to take a photograph of that, and she bumped me out of the way. And then the police arrived,” Katerndahl told The Landmark.
He estimated the woman to be 20-22 years of age. The mayor said the woman called the police to the scene.
The police reports of the incident are not currently available to the public. When an incident report has already been turned over to the prosecutor and the case is considered active, the report typically becomes confidential during the prosecutor’s review.
During the prosecutorial review, investigative reports and the details of the incident become confidential to protect the integrity of the pending case.
