Brenda Wilson
Steven M Thornington
38-year-old Brenda Wilson of Leavenworth and 23-year-old Steven Thornington of Leavenworth have both been charged in Atchison, Kan. with one count each of felony burglary, felony theft, and misdemeanor theft.
Wilson and Thornington were arrested Wednesday morning in connection with burglaries made in Atchison, Doniphan and Leavenworth counties. The suspects were taken into custody after driving into a corn field and running into the woods to hide from law enforcement officials overnight.
Wilson is being held on $20,000 bond and Thornington is being held on $10,000 bond.
More charges in the case are anticipated.
Atchison County Under Sheriff Joe Butner said the pair have admitted to committing several thefts including one that took place Tuesday night before they ran from deputies.
Butner said a stolen car battery and electric sensor that was stolen was recovered in their possession.
Items recovered from a burglary that was reported on Nov. 3 were also found including tools and a battery.
A third suspect is still sought in connection with the burglaries. Butner said law enforcement is searching for a white man believed to be in his early 30s, about 6″ with dark hair and weighing 180 lbs.
He said Wilson and Thornington were working with investigators but have not been able to give authorities the man’s name.
“Sometimes in these cases the accomplices only know their first name, or a nickname,” said Butner.
He said the third suspect is not believed to still be in the area.
The group is believed to have caused numerous burglaries around the area over the past couple of months. Butner said in Atchison county alone he is look at around nine unsolved burglary cases that fit the method the individuals were using to commit their thefts.