Authorities in south-central Kansas say they are seeing more burglaries at rural elevators, where thieves are mostly stealing tools and other equipment.

Dustin Cooke, an investigator with the Kingman County Sheriff’s Office, says at least 15 burglaries reported in recent months at elevators from the Colorado border to Kingman County have involved the theft of tire changers.

Reno County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Steve Lutz says no one has been arrested in any of the burglaries, and none of the stolen items have been recovered.

Authorities told The Hutchinson News they believe the thieves are stealing the items to resell, possibly to get money for drugs.

They are urging elevator operators to improve security and take other steps to make the theft more difficult