Thieves in Sedgwick County are targeting certain trucks, police warn

DERBY, Kansas (KWCH) – Derby Police issued a warning this week about a popular target for thieves in Sedgwick County. The warning came after officers recently responded to several reports of stolen pickup trucks.

Kayla Haynes, a Derby resident, said she was extremely frustrated after someone stole her truck. She said the theft happened after she dropped the pickup off at a dealership for service.

“We found out it happened on Saturday during business hours, at 4:45 p.m. in broad daylight,” Haynes said. “The keys were not in the truck. (The thief) took a screwdriver, unlocked it and it took him a minute to drive away with it.”

Haynes said her truck has sentimental value.

“It was my late husband’s truck,” she said. “I lost it to colon cancer in October 2022, (and) I always used it to pull our trailer. And that’s how I lost that.”

In Sedgwick County, Derby police report that pickup trucks like Haynes’ have become a popular target for thieves.

“Half of our stolen vehicles are trucks that would fit into the half-ton (up to three-quarter-ton) category,” explained Derby Police Captain Karinsa Schiffel. “Trucks in particular usually retain their value. They have equipment that is worth money.”

The police point out ways to prevent these thefts.

“Make sure your vehicle is locked, park it in a garage that you can lock, and block the vehicle with another vehicle,” Schiffel said. “Buy a second anti-theft device, such as a steering wheel lock.”

Haynes hopes that publishing her story can effectively alert others.

“People work hard for their money and there are crooks who don’t want that and you know, they want to take advantage of people,” she said. “So use my story to be extra careful.”

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