A car thief stopped in Hillsdale last month while on the run from police in multiple states, according to local authorities.
“Overnight on Jan. 19 to the morning hours on Jan. 20, five or six unlocked vehicles were entered, some items were taken,” Hillsdale Police Chief Scott Hephner said. “One vehicle was taken and was located later that day in Hillsdale abandoned. No suspects have been arrested to date. We do have photos of shoe impressions in the snow, however, we will not be releasing those at this time.”
The Hillsdale Police Department is investigating the case, along with the Jackson branch of the Michigan State Police.
“On another note, any time we investigate a stolen vehicle, the registration plate and or VIN # is put in a national database called Law Enforcement Information Network,” MSP Lt. Brian Oleksyk said. “Also during breaking and entering investigations, troopers conduct neighborhood canvasses to obtain any information that might be useful for the investigation. This complaint is still an open and ongoing investigation.”
The Michigan State Police suspect the Hillsdale incident is related to other stolen vehicle reports in Hillsdale and Lenawee counties, as well as Indiana.
According to MLive, this man is suspected of stealing cars in both Indiana and Michigan. Sergeant Brian Walker of the Indiana State Police said the ISP is not currently investigating any related car thefts. However, Walker noted that the suspect may have stolen vehicles from La Grange County or Steuben County, Indiana.
The below map, courtesy of National Geographic Mapmaker Interactive, depicts the likely locations of the vehicle thefts, based upon input from the Indiana State Police and the Michigan State Police.
Michigan State Police are asking for the public’s help in apprehending the suspect. Contact the MSP Jackson Post at 517-780-4580 with any information.
