By NATE KING
Salina Post
The Salina Police Department (SPD) is investigating a theft at a Salina storage facility and a subsequent gun threat that took place in rural Saline County.
SPD Cpt. James Feldman said officers were dispatched to Salina Mini Storage, located at 440 South Clark Street, after receiving a report of a burglary.
"We had two victims, a 33-year-old female and a 38-year-old male, who indicated someone they knew had gotten into their storage unit and stolen some subs, a B.C. Rich guitar, some amps, a custom acoustic guitar, a Kay acoustic guitar, an old banjo, a couple rings and two TVs for a total of loss of just over $6,000," Feldman said.
Feldman said the victims reported the burglary occurred sometime between Tuesday, Aug. 27, and Wednesday, Aug. 28.
The victims informed police that they had identified a known suspect. As they were leaving the storage facility, they spotted the suspect driving nearby and began following him. The pursuit led them to a rural area on East Stimmel Road between Ninth Street and Ohio Street, where the situation escalated.
"As the victims began following him, he ended up driving out into the country on Stimmel Road where he circled back around at them [the victims]," Feldman said. "As he [the suspect] was doing that, the victims were calling us, but it was very difficult to understand exactly where they were. He [suspect] pulled up next to the victim's car and pointed a gun at them. He then left the area."
The victims continued to follow the suspect briefly, but eventually lost track of him near Interstate 70. During this time, Salina Police dispatchers advised the victims to stop following the suspect and return to the police department.
Feldman said the victims were interviewed by officers at the police station, and the investigation remains ongoing. According to the victims, the suspect is a male. SPD is actively searching for the male suspect involved in the incident.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Salina Police Department at (785) 826-7210.