The Hays Police Department is investigating a string of vehicle burglaries that happened last weekend.

Approximately 12 vehicles had items taken from them.  Because of the proximity of the burglaries and the nature of the crimes, officers are treating them as related incidents.

Police Chief Don Scheibler told Hays Post “We see this a couple of times a year where people walk down the street and come to a vehicle that is unlocked.  They’ll go through the vehicle and whatever they come across, they’ll take.  In this situation, it was mostly loose items.  With the exception of one vehicle that had a window broken out of it, all the other vehicles were unlocked.”

The burglaries happened between 16th and 21st streets just off Main Street late evening July 27th / early morning July 28th:

The suspect is a white male, about 20 years old, 6 foot tall, 240 pounds.  He was wearing a black shirt, khaki pants, with a Yankees cap on.  When the suspect ran off, he left his cap at the scene, so officers have that Yankees hat (as well as DNA from the hat) as evidence.

Scheibler added “The important thing is that people lock their vehicles.  They should not leave property out in plain sight. And if they come out and find that someone has gone through their vehicle, call us.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call 785-625-1030.