Kevin Cederstrom
Winter weather and poor road conditions made get-aways difficult for a persistent car thief last week in New York Mills.
The NY Mills Police Department is investigating reports of five stolen cars in and around town some time late Dec. 4 and early morning on Dec. 5. Police Chief Brian Nelson believes the five incidents are connected and the work of one person.
No arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing. Nelson believes the thief first stole a car from a residence on Tousley Avenue in Mills and headed north out of town several miles before running out of gas. They are then believed to have stolen a truck from the Mike Nebosis residence on Highway 67 north of town. Piecing the snowstorm scenario together, law enforcement discovered the car ended up in the ditch going south back toward town. Two more vehicles were taken from places north of town just off of Highway 58. Both were later found in the ditch on 58, indicating the thief was heading back to town.
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After putting the two cars in the ditch the thief is then believed to have hiked south toward town and tried to break into garages along the way. They ended up stealing a car from the garage of Ken and Jesse Kangas at their home on the south side of Highway 56, which is in city limits.
The Kangas car was found early in the morning on Dec. 5 stashed behind Vaughn Chevrolet with personal belongings reported missing. Tim Vaughn told the P.D. he thought the vehicle was dropped off at his lot for an oil change. When he couldn't find the keys Vaughn reported his suspicions.
No damage was reported to any of the five vehicles. The NY Mills P.D. and Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office continue the joint investigation.
