String of big-ticket thefts reported
Staff writer
Six big-ticket items were reported stolen from three rural addresses within four days.
Russell J. Klenda of Wamego reported that a 1971 Chevrolet Impala body and an International H-Series tractor frame, valued together at $2,200, were stolen between Feb. 1 and 13 from a field or woods near 310th and Pawnee Rds.
The following day, Chad L. Kuebler of Grimes, Iowa, reported that a Heartland North Country camper trailer valued at $12,000 and owned by JC Enterprises of Webster City, Iowa, had been stolen between Jan. 8 and Feb. 1 from a rental storage area north of Canada.
Undersheriff Larry Starkey said Kuebler initially thought the owner had picked it up when he noticed it was missing Feb. 1.
Some campers were stored outside on the storage facility property. The thief apparently backed a truck up to where it was parked and hauled it away.
“There’s nothing in the report about any damage to a storage unit,” Starkey said.
Donald P. Meysing reported that a Bobcat skid steer valued at $20,000, a 2006 Ford F-250 pickup valued at $3,000, and a homemade 16-foot tandem pole trailer valued at $500 were stolen between 5 p.m. and midnight Feb. 16 from his residence near 290th and Quail Creek Rds.
It isn’t known whether the thefts could be related, Starkey said.
“It certainly would be a possibility, but as of right now we don’t have any evidence that they’re connected,” he said.
A yellow car trailer with black fenders, a toolbox, and tools was reported found in a field entrance Saturday morning.
The trailer had no tag or vehicle identification number, and no trailer matching its description was reported stolen, so the sheriff’s office has not been able identify it, Starkey said.
“We’ve checked with surrounding counties and had nothing come back yet,” he said.