In the early hours of December 27, at 3:34 am, officers responded to a developing situation of vehicle burglary in the 1200 block of E Kirin. The incident was reported by a concerned individual who observed a person entering a vehicle, transferring belongings from that vehicle to another one in the parking area. The reported vehicle in question was identified as a silver 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe. Upon inspection, it was revealed that this Hyundai had been reported as stolen from Wichita on December 4.
Upon further investigation, officers allegedly observed an individual concealing themselves inside the stolen vehicle. The person was later identified as 26-year-old Gage Hartpence-Ray, from Wichita. When Hartpence-Ray allegedly ignored commands to exit the vehicle, officers resorted to breaking the window and deploying pepper spray.
Subsequent findings indicated that Hartpence-Ray was purportedly involved in other vehicle burglaries in the parking lot, targeting three different vehicles. He reportedly pilfered various items from each vehicle and relocated them to the stolen Hyundai. As a result, Hartpence-Ray was arrested on multiple requested charges, including three counts of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property, damage to property, and interference with law enforcement officers.