A pair of thefts, separated by three years, have been resolved.
Iola police officers said a log splitter owned by Iolan Ryan Sigg had been located after he reported the theft from a residence in the 500 block of South Jefferson Avenue.
An appeal for information via social media helped break the case, officers noted, with a twist.
One of the suspects had called Sigg with information about the theft, purportedly to receive a reward offer.
The splitter was recovered last week and returned to Sigg.
Here’s where things get a little tricky, noted Bob Droessler of the Iola Police Department.
Roughly three years ago, sometime between Nov. 26 and Dec. 31, 2019, Sigg said another log splitter had been stolen.
As the investigation into the most recent theft unfolded, officers quickly surmised the same suspects were behind the first theft as well.
Sigg did not report the first theft, figuring he would never see the machine again.
“I figured I’d never see either one again,” Sigg told the Register.
That log splitter was recovered Thursday, and soon will be returned to Sigg, Droessler said.
Officers are requesting a pair of burglary charges be filed against the suspects.
