Alerted Kansas police officer stops ongoing car break-in

DOUGLAS COUNTY – An alert police officer stopped what appeared to be a car break-in in progress during a routine parking lot security check in Lawrence this week, according to a social media report from the Lawrence Police Department.

This led to the deployment of a drone team and the recovery of a stolen vehicle – a KIA with a hacked steering column

Shortly after 2 a.m., the officer drove through the Rockland Apartments, 1301 West 24th Street, and noticed an interior light and an open glove compartment on a BMW. As he drove closer, he saw a man on the passenger side and asked if the car was his.

The person ran and escaped after a short chase. As additional officers and the drone team were deployed, a sergeant found the KIA, still running, in the same parking lot.

Ultimately, the team was able to identify a vehicle in the area that they believed was intended to pick up the suspect. A patrol unit later stopped the car and found the suspect inside along with other teenagers.

The suspect and a resident with outstanding warrants were taken to the juvenile detention center. The other two were handed over to a guardian. The owner of the BMW noticed nothing was missing, and officers identified the KIA owner and notified him the next morning.