Bond set at $3 million for man accused in Topeka crime spree

Adam Schwegman faces 16 charges in Topeka, Kansas, following a spree of violence that left three people stabbed and two others injured. The incident began on Wednesday, Oct. 28, when Schwegman attacked two individuals along S.W. Fillmore. Police records indicate he is also charged with rape at that location.

Ron Hubbard was with a friend when he noticed Schwegman acting strangely on the street. Hubbard said he and his companion approached the man because another bystander had seen him near the park earlier. Hubbard described seeing Schwegman running away from Ward Meade Park. He stepped in, extended his leg to trip Schwegman, and watched as the man fell into the grass with a knife. Hubbard kicked the weapon onto the sidewalk while his friend held Schwegman in place.

Schwegman escaped from Hubbard and his friend but was quickly caught by police. The investigation reveals a pattern of movement that day. After the initial stabbings and alleged rape on S.W. Fillmore, Schwegman moved up the same road. He broke into two homes on that stretch. Four children were inside one of the houses, including a four-month-old infant. Officials confirmed the children were not hurt. A third person was stabbed on a nearby street before the final confrontation at the park.

A 70-year-old woman was injured when Schwegman attacked her at Ward Meade Park. Hubbard was nearby when he spotted the suspect fleeing the park. Hubbard said he acted on a scenario he had previously seen on television, where a delivery person tripped a car thief during a police chase. "I decided to step in, throw my leg out, trip him and he landed over here in the grass, and the knife fell in the grass," Hubbard said.

Hubbard expressed relief that he could intervene to stop further harm. "Well, if you see something bad, try to help stop it. I wish we could have got to it before this happened," he said. Schwegman made his first court appearance on Thursday, Oct. 29. The judge set a total bond of $3 million.

The charges against Schwegman include aggravated battery and rape. The spree involved at least 17 victims according to the accusation list, with the physical injuries occurring at three distinct locations along the path from S.W. Fillmore to the park. The four-month-old child in the broken-into home was among those present during the intrusion but sustained no injuries.