By NATE KING
Salina Post
The Salina Police Department (SPD) is investigating an alleged aggravated burglary that occurred Tuesday, December 17, at the Value Inn, 1640 W. Crawford.
According to SPD Captain James Feldman, officers were dispatched to the hotel around 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday after receiving a report of a burglary and threat with a gun. Upon arrival, officers identified three men, aged 19, 24, and 35, all from Texas, as the victims.
The 35-year-old male explained to SPD officers that he had been showering alone in the room between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. He assumed his roommates had returned when he heard someone enter the room. After exiting the shower, he discovered all their bags had been gone through, and a passport and approximately $40 in cash were missing.
The men reported the incident to hotel staff and reviewed hallway surveillance footage, which showed two individuals from the room next door entering their room. The Texas men confronted the neighboring room’s occupants. When the door opened, a man inside allegedly pointed a gun at them. The men left the entrance of the nearby room and called SPD.
Responding officers secured the neighboring room and took a 20-year-old Salina woman, identified as Emma Reidelberger into custody.
Feldman said SPD secured a search warrant for the room, where officers recovered the stolen passport, drug paraphernalia, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
"They [officers] did find what was a pepper spray gun. We don't know if that was the gun or not. I can't say 100%," Feldman said. "We have identified a possible male suspect we're still looking for."
A male suspect, described as a white male about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing approximately 140 pounds, was not located at the scene. According to Feldman, the suspect is known to SPD.
Reidelberger was booked into the Saline County Jail on charges of aggravated burglary, stemming from her alleged unauthorized entry into the occupied hotel room. Authorities are pursuing charges against the male suspect and are actively searching for him. His name has not been released.
The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Salina Police Department (785) 826-7210.