Marion, KS. – On Jan. 1 officers were dispatched to the area of Birch and Lincoln streets for multiple burglary reports. In total eight vehicles were burglarized between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. All eight vehicles were within approximately 1000 feet of each other. Approximately $2500 in property was taken and $2000 was spent on credit cards stolen from one of the vehicles.
An investigation was initiated and evidence was found at merchants in Marion and Emporia showing two individuals using the stolen credit cards to make multiple purchases. The male on video unknowingly gave identifying information to the merchant in Marion which led to the identification of Colten Ellis Brady (Gardner) as a person of interest. The female was subsequently identified by officers of the Council Grove Police Department as Morgan Brea Ross (Council Grove).
After identification of the two persons on video, both names were run through an investigative resource by the Marion County Sheriff. Brady sold two items on Jan. 2 to a pawn shop in Blue Springs, Missouri. The items matched property taken from vehicles in Marion. Those items were recovered on Jan. 20.
The cases have been turned over to the Marion County Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
The Marion Police Department would like to thank the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Council Grove Police Department for their assistance.
All suspects are innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
