By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY
Salina Post
A Salina man was arrested on requested felony charges of theft and damage to property after a stolen motorcycle was located at his residence.
On May 29, Kaitlin Carter, 31, of Salina, reported to police that she had left her Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle in the parking lot at Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth Street, approximately two weeks before, because the motorcycle had a dead battery, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. When she returned on May 29, the motorcycle was gone.
According to Forrester, the motorcycle was distinguishable as it had custom flat black exhaust pipes and faded and torn leather saddle bags.
The motorcycle was valued at $4,000.
Surveillance video from Wal-Mart showed a suspect vehicle in the theft to be a Ford F150 crew cab pickup with a flatbed, and a large red box behind the driver’s side cab area. The theft occurred at approximately midnight on May 27, Forrester reported.
On Friday, an officer located a pickup matching that description parked in the 1600 block of W. Republic, Forrester noted. In front of the pickup was a motorcycle that was partially covered with a tarp, however, the exhaust pipes and a saddle bag were visible. Additionally, a witness told police that a resident in that block had been driving the motorcycle for approximately a week, Forrester added.
Carter responded to the scene and identified the motorcycle as hers.
The motorcycle had sustained damage to the gas cap and ignition, a foot peg was missing, and the battery covers had been painted, Forrester noted. Damage to the motorcycle was estimated at $1,750.
According to Forrester, police made contact with Matthew Dimaplas, 27, of Salina, who was arrested on requested charges of felony theft and felony damage to property.