Burglar leaves behind calling card, explosives
A clumsy burglar left his wallet at the scene of a crime Thursday, and authorities discovered a homemade explosive in the suspect's vehicle.
The story unfolded Feb. 14 when an abandoned car was discovered, stuck in mud, in the northeastern part of Marion County at 2971 290th.
The suspects stole a nearby farm truck in an attempt to pull out the car and got it stuck. The car was towed by Markley Service of Marion and officers began to inspect the car.
Inside the car, officers found guns, hand and power tools, and other items valued at $4,000-$6,000. The items are believed to have been recently stolen in two home burglaries and the burglary of a construction site.
Officers also found a map which had sites marked of the recent burglaries.
"It showed how to get from Clay Center to here," said Lee Becker, Marion County Sheriff.
Officers also discovered a homemade explosive device — a carbon dioxide cylinder filled with gunpowder.
"The device probably wouldn't have caused major damage had it been detonated," Becker said
To be on the safe side, Becker called a bomb squad from Fort Riley who disposed of the device.
Three recent burglaries in Marion, Dickinson, and Clay counties have authorities convinced the person who dropped the wallet is responsible for the crimes.
The burglaries were not random.
"The suspect is connected to the burglaries," Becker said.
Authorities know who they're looking for and it's just a matter of time, Becker said, until they find him.
