UPDATE: In a recent development, officers have made an arrest linked to the string of vehicle thefts reported yesterday. The Ford Focus, allegedly stolen from Kwik Shop on S Ohio, was spotted by officers in Junction City. In an effort to halt the vehicle, officers engaged in a pursuit that spanned into Dickinson and Ottawa Counties, with KHP also joining the operation.
The chase eventually came to a halt in a rural area within Dickinson/Ottawa County, prompting the driver to allegedly flee on foot. The individual, identified as 31-year-old Bradley Jamison, was apprehended shortly thereafter. Jamison was been transported back to Saline County on requested charges, which include two counts of felony theft, flee and elude, failure to yield, and other traffic violations.
ORIGINAL: In a spree of vehicle thefts on December 19 and 20, Salina police were left investigating as multiple incidents unfolded across different locations in the city.
Incident 1: Kwik Shop on W Crawford
At 4:45 pm on December 19, officers responded to a call at 1727 W Crawford regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim, a 37-year-old woman, had left her 2016 Kia Sorento, valued at $15,000, running with keys inside while she entered Kwik Shop. A male, described as 5'7"-5'10", took advantage of the opportunity, driving off with the vehicle from the parking lot. The police pursued the stolen Kia through a neighborhood, eventually finding it abandoned on train tracks in the 900 block of Walnut. The suspect, however, managed to evade capture.
Incident 2: E Crawford Stolen Vehicle
Later that evening at 8:40 pm, officers responded to another call at 645 E Crawford for a stolen vehicle. A 48-year-old woman reported her 2004 Ford Taurus, worth $4,000, was taken while she was inside Little Caesars. The vehicle was spotted by an officer at Crawford and Broadway, leading to a pursuit through neighborhoods. The chase concluded with the discovery of the unoccupied Ford Taurus in the 600 block of Whittinghill.
Incident 3: Early Morning Theft at Kwik Shop on S Ohio
The spree continued on December 20 at 6 am when officers were dispatched to Kwik Shop at 2003 S Ohio for yet another stolen vehicle. A 19-year-old woman's running 2013 red Ford Focus, valued at $7,000, was taken while she was inside the store. An officer spotted the vehicle at Kwik Shop, 657 Fairdale, and attempted to approach it. The suspect, however, sped away eastbound on Crawford, initiating a high-speed pursuit. Dust obscured the officers' vision, resulting in the loss of sight of the vehicle. The suspect reportedly matched the description from the initial incident.