Cowley County authorities are investigating the theft of two vehicles that went missing from properties in rural areas of the county late Sunday or early Monday. One of the vehicles was later recovered.
Around 1:30 a.m., Steve Boatman reported a gray Chevy Suburban had been stolen from his home on 202nd Rd., a half mile west of Dexter. Boatman heard his dog barking and looked outside in time to see his vehicle being driven away, according to undersheriff Bill Mueller.
The keys had been stored inside the vehicle and were located by the person or people responsible for taking it.
The vehicle was later spotted on U.S. 160 highway and a pursuit ensued. Speeds at times reached 100 miles per hour or more. The chase ended when the person driving the Suburban entered a private drive on 182nd Rd. just west of 151st Rd.
The Suburban apparently entered a large pasture area and escaped through another exit.
During daylight hours, a property owner called to report that an abandoned vehicle had been found at a location in 17200 block of 131st Rd. It turned out to be the stolen vehicle and was returned to Boatman.
Investigators have yet to recover a 1978 Chevrolet, three-quarter ton pickup taken from 155th Rd. north of U.S. highway 166. The truck is owned by Robin Schultz.
The property owner was away but told investigators the vehicle went missing some time late Sunday or early Monday. It is gray with a green driver’s side door and has a bale spike attached.
The truck was used as a vehicle for feeding cattle.