Vehicle Burglary Caught in Progress by Wichita Man

By OLIVIA BERGMEIER
Salina Post

Salina Police Department officers successfully apprehended a suspect involved in a vehicle burglary in Salina early Wednesday morning. The suspect, identified as Gage Hartpence-Ray, a 26-year-old resident of Wichita, was caught red-handed by vigilant witnesses and swiftly brought to justice.

The incident took place at approximately 3:34 a.m. on Thursday, December 27, when a concerned witness contacted the Salina Police Department to report suspicious activity in the parking lot of an apartment complex located at 1226 E. Kirwin Ave. The witness observed the suspect breaking into cars and transferring stolen items into his vehicle.

In response to the call, officers from the Salina Police Department promptly arrived at the scene. They discovered a silver 2018 Hyundai Santa Fe, reported stolen by law enforcement in Sedgwick County, Wichita on December 4, parked in the lot.

While inspecting the stolen vehicle, the officers made an alarming discovery. They noticed someone hiding in the back of the Hyundai Santa Fe, who was later identified as Gage Hartpence-Ray.

Despite repeated commands from the officers, Hartpence-Ray, displaying a clear reluctance to cooperate, refused to exit the vehicle. Faced with this resistance, the officers took swift action and broke the window of the stolen Hyundai Santa Fe. To ensure compliance, they deployed pepper spray, effectively forcing Hartpence-Ray out of the car.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect had targeted three additional cars in the parking lot, leaving behind a trail of destruction amounting to $100 worth of damages to a pickup truck.

Salina Police Department Lieutenant Kyle Tonniges shed some light on the ongoing investigation, stating, “We are currently in the process of inventorying Hartpence-Ray’s vehicle, conducting research on prior vehicle burglaries, and piecing together any possible connections. It is highly likely that he may have been involved in other vehicle burglaries.”

Based on the evidence collected, the Salina Police Department has formally requested charges against Hartpence-Ray. These charges include three counts of vehicle burglary, one count of possession of stolen property, one count of interference with law enforcement, and one count of damage to property.