A vehicle reported stolen Friday morning was located early Saturday morning at a north Salina motel.
Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said this morning that police were sent to the 500 block of West Grand for the report of a vehicle stolen at approximately 7 a.m. Susan Galvez-Cooper, 44, of Salina, told police that she was warming up her maroon 2014 Ford Fiesta, valued at $4,000, when it was stolen, Forrester said.
At approximately 1 a.m. Saturday, an officer located the car at the SureStay Hotel, 1846 North Ninth Street, he said. Inside the car was paperwork belonging to John Sturgis, Jr., 54, Forrester explained. The vehicle was returned to its owner, he added.
During the course of the investigation, it was determined that Sturgis was staying at the SurStay Hotel and that he had two outstanding Salina Municipal Court warrants, Forrester said. A witness later confirmed seeing Sturgis driving a maroon vehicle to the SureStay Hotel, he said. Additionally, Sturgis had in his possession the key to the Ford Fiesta, Forrester said.
When Sturgis was arrested, he asked whether the warrants were issued by Municipal Court Judge Brenda Stoss, Forrester said. When told that they were, Sturgis allegedly threatened to do harm to Stoss, Forrester explained.
Sturgis was arrested on suspicion of the following, Forrester said.
Theft of a motor vehicle
Criminal threat
Driving while suspended