Dumped, stolen, chased

Cross-state car thefts includes stop in county

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

A car stolen Friday from McPherson was found later that day in Florence, where another car, later found in Chautauqua County, was stolen, apparently as a replacement.

The car stolen in Florence, a maroon 2008 Chevrolet Uplander, had a Colorado tag on it.

It was spotted Friday in Howard and then was the target of a high speed chase through downtown Sedan.

Sedan Police Chief Kirk Richardson said his department was notified by the Elk County sheriff’s office that shoplifting had been reported at a Dollar General store in Howard, and that witnesses saw the shoplifters car head south on K-99.

“He let us know he ran the tag and it was stolen,” Richardson said. “We saw it and tried to stop it, and they fled at speeds estimated at 90 to 100 mph. They abandoned it in a wooded area in Sedan. A manhunt ensued.”

A female passenger in the car was seen walking out of the wooded area.

Amanda M. Dauer, 29, Fort Collins, Colorado, was arrested on suspicion of theft and using a stolen credit card. She is being held in Elk County jail after pleading guilty Monday to theft.

Elk County Sheriff John Walker said Dauer was sentenced to four days in jail followed by a year’s probation.

A man who had been driving the car was found hiding in a trash container.

Athen J. Turner, 23, of Loveland, Colorado, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and drug paraphernalia, fleeing or attempting to elude police, reckless driving, and driving while his license was revoked.

He remains in Chautauqua County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond. A warrant also has been issued by the Colorado Department of Correction.

The Chautauqua County sheriff’s office said Turner and Dauer had told them they were headed to Florida.

Undersheriff Larry Starkey said the car stolen from McPherson and the car stolen from Florence were throught to be part of series of car thefts. He suspects the series may have begun elsewhere.

Names of the owners of the cars were not released by authorities.