COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Police Department (CPD) arrested a local man for the attempted theft of a truck while the owner was warming it on December 13th.
At approximately 7:40 pm, CPD officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Hege Avenue for an auto theft. When they arrived, they found Robert Kanehl, 24 of Columbus, being restrained by another man.
Officers learned that a resident there had gone outside to start his Silverado and allow it to warm up. While he was clearing the snow from the truck, he saw Robert walk by and the two exchanged hellos. A few minutes later, the owner of the truck was shoveling snow nearby when Robert got into the Silverado and started to speed off. However, he got drove the truck into a nearby ditch and it got stuck. The owner was able to get the truck door open, remove Robert, and restrain him until officers arrived. Robert was arrested for the preliminary charge of theft of a motor vehicle, a level 6 felony. He remains in the Bartholomew County Jail.
Columbus Police warn that there are criminals looking for opportunities to steal our cars. If you are warming your vehicle up in this very cold weather, please try to lock the vehicle with a spare set of keys, make sure someone is watching it, and be on the lookout for suspicious activity.
You can report suspicious activity by calling 9-1-1 or the CPD dispatch center’s non- emergency line at 812-379-1689.