By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post
The Salina Police Department encourages residents to always lock their cars as they enter or leave locations due to a string of car thefts in town.
At around 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, a 19-year-old Salina woman reported her 2013 Ford Focus stolen from the Kwik Shop at 2003 S. Ohio St. after leaving it running and unlocked outside the business.
"[She] went into the store, and then a white male exited the store and ended up stealing the vehicle," said SPD Capt. James Feldman. "An officer located it in the area of 657 Fairdale at the Kwik Shop and attempted to stop the vehicle. A pursuit occurred that led out into the county."
Feldman said due to the danger of pursuing someone on a dirt road, the officer decided to terminate the chase. The estimated cost of the vehicle is $7,000.
SPD lost track of the stolen vehicle after terminating the chase, but yesterday, law enforcement authorities in Dickinson and Ottawa counties contacted SPD with news of the car thief's arrest. Feldman said the Kansas Highway Patrol was also involved.
On Wednesday, Dec. 20, at an undisclosed time, law enforcement in Junction City spotted the stolen car and pursued the vehicle into rural Dickinson County.
Feldman said the law enforcement authorities involved in the chase did not provide much information on the pursuit. KHP troopers arrested 31-year-old Salina resident Bradley Jameson for multiple traffic violations, flee and elude and two counts of felony theft.
Feldman said the status of the stolen vehicle is unknown to SPD since KHP is handling the car.