SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for burglary and package theft following the swift reporting of two observant citizens and a quick response by deputies.
Just after 1:30 p.m.,Wednesday, the Shawnee County Emergency Communications Center received a call about a suspicious gold minivan in the 6100 block of SE Shawnee Drive, according to Deputy Abigail Christian. The van driver was wearing a reflective neon orange vest.
The suspect had entered and rummaged through the caller’s vehicle.
At 1:37 p.m., another caller reported a package was just stolen from her driveway in the 5100 block of SE 53rd street by a man matching that description in a tan minivan.
Multiple deputies began checking the area and just before 2p.m., a deputy observed the gold 2009 Dodge Caravan with a male driver wearing a neon vest driving near SE 37th Street and SE Tecumseh Road.
The deputy stopped the van and took the driver identified as Arturo Delacerda Jr., 33 of Topeka into custody.
Delacerda Jr. is being held in the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges of multiple counts of burglary, theft, drug related charges including possession of methamphetamine, identity theft and other financial crimes.
Delacerda Jr. is also the suspect in multiple other cases, according to Christian.