An investigation into the theft of a Volvo led police to a Salina man who was a suspect in a medication theft case.
Sometime between 6 p.m. Wednesday and 1:40 p.m. Thursday a silver 2007 Volvo valued at $4,000 was stolen from the driveway of a residence in the 600 block of Highland, Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester reported this morning. The owner of the Volvo, a 58-year-old Salina man, told police that he was unloading groceries and dropped some of the items on the ground. In his haste, he said he believed he left the keys in or around the vehicle, Forrester explained.
According to Forrester, the man said he heard a vehicle start at approximately 3 a.m. Thursday, but thought it was the neighbor's vehicle. Because of the stay-at-home order, the did not check on the vehicles until around 1:40 p.m. Thursday and discovered the car missing, Forrester noted.
At approximately 3:05 p.m., an officer who was patrolling in the 900 block of North 13th Street saw the Volvo in front of lot No. 15, 917 North 13th Street, and observed two males and a female walk away from the vehicle and into the trailer, Forrester explained. According to Forrester, narcotics were found when the vehicle was searched. Additionally, the vehicle had sustained damage to the right front tire, which was valued at $65, he noted.
Officers made contact with the three subjects who were seen walking away from the car: Kalub Rowson, 19, of Salina, Kaden Mattison, 18, of Salina, and an unidentified female who was released at the scene, Forrester reported.
Rowson was arrested on suspicion of the following, according to Forrester.
Possession of stolen property
Unlawful possession of a controlled substance
Possession of drug parphernalia
As it turned out, Mattison was a suspect in the theft of medication from a 60-year-old female relative, according to Forrester. On Thursday, the relative reported that several of her medications were stolen from her residence in the 100 block of East Crawford Street overnight Wednesday-Thursday, Forrester explained. The stolen pills were valued at more than $170, he added.
The relative suspected that Mattison was responsible for the theft, and during the car theft investigation he was found to be in possession of several pills matching those stolen from the relative, Forrester explained.
Mattison was arrested on suspicion of the following, according to Forrester.
Unlawful possession of controlled substances
Distribute opiate/narcotic/stimulant 10>100 doses
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Theft