By Travis Mounts
A Cheney area resident who came home over lunch interrupted a break-in at her home.
Susan Woodard left work at the Cheney Public Library around 1 p.m. last week on Tuesday, and got home to find a strange car backed up in her driveway. She called Cheney City Hall, and Sgt. Gary Davis arrived on scene minutes later. He entered the house and apprehended a female suspect.
“She (the suspect) said there were four other people involved,” said Woodard, who lives at the home with her husband, David, and their children. “We suspect they left when they heard me.”
It appears the suspects made themselves quite at home, even showering while they were there. Woodard said some things were missing from the home.
“She had gone through all our personal items and used quite a few of them,” Woodard said. “They did not think I was coming home.”
That’s the part that bothers Woodard the most.
“I feel very, very violated. I can’t explain it,” she said. “They lived in our house for five hours.”
Although the Cheney Police Department made the initial arrest, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Department is conducting the investigation. The Sheriff’s Department did not have anyone available Tuesday to comment on the investigation.
The burglary may be related to other recent crimes. Woodard said she has heard of other break-ins in the rural area outside of Cheney. She said she erred in calling the city offices, especially since she lives outside of the city.
“I think it’s really important that people call 911,” she said. “We really get complacent. Don’t get out of the car. Call 911.” |
