By NATE KING
Salina Post
Police have made an arrest in connection to at least two of the recent daytime vehicle burglaries in Salina.
On Aug. 8, a Salina resident in the 900 block of Merrily Drive witnessed Jermaine Cooper, 25, of Salina getting into their vehicle. The vehicle's owner, who recognized Cooper, told Salina Police that $13 worth of change was stolen from their vehicle.
Salina Police Sergeant Kyle Tonniges said Cooper was not arrested on Aug. 8, but officers were on the lookout for him.
Then on Aug. 18, a Salina Police officer saw Cooper walking in the 900 block of W. Republic Avenue and went to arrest him but Cooper ran.
"After a brief chase, the officer was able to catch up to Cooper and deployed his taser, which was effective. Cooper was arrested," Tonniges said.
Tonniges noted the officers suffered minor abrasions and some damage to their sunglasses during the scuffle.
While officers were still on the scene, a resident in the 800 block of Merrill Street spoke with officers and said Cooper had attempted to burglarize their vehicle on Aug. 15. Tonniges said after reviewing surveillance footage provided by the victim of the alleged Aug. 15 burglary, officers were able to identify Cooper in the video attempting to break into the victim's car.
"He [Cooper] didn't actually get into that vehicle," Tonniges said. "He attempted to, but the vehicle was locked and so he didn't get anything out of it."
Tonniges said Cooper also had a fentanyl pill on his person at the time of his arrest.
Cooper was arrested on the following requested charges, Tonniges said.
● Burglary; Vehicle to commit a felony, theft, domestic violence, or sexually motivated crime,
● Interference with LEO; knowingly flee by means other than motor vehicle;
●Battery on LEO; Phys contact county/city LEO
●Use/poss drug paraphernalia/human body
●Poss of opiate, narcotic, or certain stimulant