2 Arrested for Cutting Up Cars For Scrap

Two men are arrested after a joint investigation between the Saline County Sheriff’s Office and Dickinson County detectives.

Sheriff Glen Kochanowski tells KSAL News that 53-year-old Douglas Gabel of Herington and 47-year-old John Kasper of Hope were taken into custody on Wednesday in connection to a collection of classic cars that were stolen from a farm in southeast Saline County.

Back on April 7th, Gary Hansen contacted the Saline County Sheriff’s Office after he discovered someone had stolen a group of vehicles he had lined up under a hedgerow at his property on E. Tinkler Road.

Deputies say a 1939 Plymouth 4-door sedan, 1949 Studebaker 2-door coupe and a 1950 4-door Studebaker were part of that collection.

Sheriff Kochanowski says it appears the two cut the cars up and sold them for scrap.

Both men are in the Saline County Jail and face felony charges that include five counts of theft and five counts of criminal damage to property.

Sheriff Kochanowski tells KSAL News that more arrests are possible in the case.