By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
On Sunday, the Hays Police Department arrested a suspect linked to at least 18 vehicle burglaries in Hays.
Russell Edward Cochrane, 29, Hays, was booked on requested charges of burglary of a vehicle, theft of a firearm, theft and criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a department investigation.
The department was able to identify Cochrane from surveillance footage from a local business where a financial card stolen during one of the burglaries was used, according to HDP Detective Jeff Ridgway.
The footage would lead to the Cochrane’s arrest following an unrelated investigation.
Over the weekend, HPD officers were searching for a vehicle in reference to a civil dispute.
HPD Officer Lacey Reifschneider identified the vehicle and the requested backup, Officer Ethan Henderson recognized Cochrane and another suspect in the vehicle from the video from the stolen card investigation.
One of the suspects was even wearing the same clothing from the video, Ridgway said.
An interview was conducted leading to a search warrant being issued.
“Which led to the recovery of some additional stolen property from other vehicle burglaries,” Ridgway said. “It actually resulted in the recovery of an item of property that had not yet been reported stolen.”
The stolen item was reported missing the next day.
Hays Police Department Chief Don Schiebler said that anyone who suspects their vehicle has been entered should report the incident to police, in case items are recovered during investigations, even if the victim does not believe anything was taken.
He also said vehicle burglaries are often preventable.
“The problem that we continue to have … is that people continue to walk around town doing what they call car-hopping, burglarizing vehicles,” Schiebler said.
He asks residents to use caution by keeping vehicles locked and valuable items secured.
“We need their cooperation and lock their doors and secure their property,” Scheibler said.
The investigation is ongoing.
As the investigation continues the HPD said all suspects are innocent until proven guilty.