On the morning of September 12th, a 43-year-old man reported his maroon 1988 Jeep Wrangler stolen from the 100 block of South Broadway. The theft occurred between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM, with the vehicle taken despite its mechanical issue that allowed it to be started without a key. The Jeep was last seen heading southbound on Broadway.
Later that morning, at 7:51 AM, deputies from the sheriff's department responded to a call regarding a woman acting erratically in a maroon Jeep in a rural area of the county. The vehicle was confirmed to be the stolen Jeep from Salina. The alleged suspect, identified as 40-year-old Lindsay Slater of Park City, was found at the scene.
Deputies were dispatched to the CW Ranch on the 4000 block of South Halstead Road after a ranch hand reported a woman acting strangely and attempting to enter a locked home on the property. The ranch hand initially thought she might be associated with the VRBO program but quickly realized this was not the case. When deputies arrived, Slater reportedly mistook them for an Uber driver and falsely claimed she lived at the residence.
During her arrest, authorities discovered methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and prescription pills in her possession. The stolen Jeep was also found with significant damage to its underside and interior.
Slater was arrested without incident and faces multiple charges, including felony theft, driving with a suspended license, theft of property/services valued between $1,500 and $25,000, aggravated burglary of a dwelling for felony theft, criminal damage to property valued between $1,000 and $25,000, use or possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of an opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant.
The investigation is ongoing, and Slater remains in custody.