BY SALINA POST
A Salina man was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon after allegedly stealing a pickup truck and shoplifting from a local business, according to the Salina Police Department.
SPD Capt. Feldman reported that at approximately 2:50 p.m. on April 8, a 32-year-old woman reported her gold 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup stolen from her residence in the 1000 block of E. Beloit. The truck, valued at $19,000, had been taken shortly before officers arrived.
The victim identified the suspect as 30-year-old Hugh Alden of Salina, an associate who had been at her residence earlier that day. According to the victim, the two had a verbal argument, during which Alden allegedly took the truck’s keys without her knowledge. The victim told officers the keys were equipped with an AirTag, which showed the vehicle’s location near Waters True Value at 460 S. Ohio.
As SPD officers responded to that location, employees at Waters True Value contacted police to report a theft in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed Alden walking away from the store and took him into custody.
Further investigation revealed Alden had allegedly shoplifted two shirts and a pair of pants, valued at $126. The items were recovered at the scene, and the stolen vehicle was also returned to the victim without any reported damage.
Alden was booked into the Saline County Jail on requested charges of one count of felony theft and one count of misdemeanor theft.