SALINE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating two teen in connection with multiple vehicle burglaries and stolen vehicle cases in Salina.
Between Oct. 3 and October 13, police investigated 24 vehicle burglaries and several vehicle thefts, according to a media release from police.
Most, if not all, of the burglaries and thefts were from unlocked vehicles. The keys were left in most of the stolen vehicles.
The vehicle burglaries and thefts were not isolated to one area of Salina, the department added. According to reports, items taken from the vehicle burglaries included handguns, keys, wallets, purses, credit cards, debit cards, cash, change, work tools, hunting equipment, an Apple watch, air pods, and checkbooks.
Just after 10:30p.m. Wednesday, police responded to a suspicious activity call in the 2200 block of Roach Street. The reporting party noted a dome light on inside a vehicle.
Four vehicles in that area had been illegally entered. Additionally, officers located a person inside a vehicle in the 2100 block of Nottingham Drive. That person was detained and taken to the Salina Police department for questioning.
Detectives then served two search warrants, one in the 700 block of N. Fifth Street and the 800 block of W. Ash Stree. Another person was detained during the execution of the search warrants. As a result of the investigation and and the search warrants, police were able to establish probable cause for the following eight vehicle burglary cases and three stolen vehicle cases.
Also as a result of the investigation, police arrested two teens. Ethan Runyan, 18, of Salina, is being held on requested charges that include Four counts of vehicle burglary/theft, Four counts of vehicle burglary/firearms theft and Three counts of felony theft/automobile.
Dalton R. Gimeson-Smith, 18, Salina, is being held on requested charges that include two counts of vehicle burglary/theft and Four counts of vehicle burglary/firearms theft.