Arkansas City police have arrested a 15-year-old runaway they said is responsible for several recent auto burglaries in the Wilson Park area, according to police chief Sean Wallace.
Police apprehended the boy early Monday after he was discovered walking in an alley way near the park. The teen ? who police did not identify by name ? attempted to hide at first but eventually spoke with police. He provided a false name initially but was recognized by an officer who had spoken with him in regard to an earlier incident.
An investigation determined the boy was from Pittsburg and had been listed as a runaway since March. He also had an outstanding warrant for his arrest through Cowley County District Court.
The boy has a parent living in Ark City, Wallace said.
Investigators believe the boy was burglarizing cars when he was caught Monday. After questioning, police said the suspect admitted to taking prescription medications and other items from cars in the area. A search of his home turned up additional items.
Four recent auto burglary cases were resolved as a result of the arrest, Wallace said. Police had been receiving a number of calls from residents regarding car burglaries.
Additionally, the suspect also is said to have confessed to burglarizing the cafeteria at the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center?on two separate occasions.?
He was taken into custody and?later transported to the Cowley County Juvenile Intake.
