Manhattan police are investigating a series of vehicle thefts and attempted thefts reported over the weekend, many involving similar damage to steering columns, according to the Riley County Police Department.
Officers filed seven separate reports between March 20th and March 22nd across the city, with total reported losses exceeding $40,000.
On March 22nd, officers filed a report at approximately 10:26 a.m. in the 700 block of Pebblebrook Circle after a 26-year-old man reported his 2018 Kia Soul had been stolen. The vehicle, valued at approximately $10,200, was later recovered.
On March 21st, officers filed multiple reports, including an incident at approximately 9:23 a.m. in the 3000 block of Kimball Avenue, where a 25-year-old woman reported an unknown suspect broke into her 2018 Kia Optima and damaged the steering column in an attempted theft, causing about $2,000 in damage.
Later that day, at approximately 5:13 p.m., a 32-year-old man reported in the 3000 block of James Avenue that an unknown suspect broke into his 2016 Hyundai Elantra, damaged the steering column and attempted to steal the vehicle. The estimated loss in that case is $4,000.
At approximately 6:38 p.m. March 21st, officers responded to the 2700 block of Vinewood Place, where a 63-year-old woman reported her 2018 Kia Soul had been stolen. The estimated loss was $6,000, and the vehicle has since been recovered.
On March 20th, officers filed four reports, beginning at approximately 8:53 a.m. in the 400 block of Walters Drive, where a 25-year-old woman reported an attempted theft of her 2019 Kia Forte, including damage to the steering column. The estimated loss was $2,000.
At approximately 9:15 a.m., a 35-year-old man reported his gray 2018 Nissan Altima had been stolen from the 1400 block of Cambridge Place, with an estimated loss of $8,000.
At approximately 12:06 p.m., officers responded to the 4100 block of Spook Rock Way, where a 20-year-old man reported his 2020 Kia Optima had been stolen. The estimated loss was $9,000, and the vehicle has since been recovered.
