A Topeka Police Department official said Thursday the Topeka man arrested in connection with the recent tow truck-aided vehicle thefts had no affiliation with the tow company and told the company driver the vehicles that needed to be towed belonged to him.
William J. Morrissey Jr., 46, was arrested Saturday on suspicion of the theft of two vehicles, a 1995 Cadillac from the 1500 block of S.W. Fillmore and a 1989 Chevrolet Corsica from the 1200 block of Washburn, Cpt. Brian Desch said.
Desch said the theft of the two vehicles - both with a tow truck - happened Saturday and Friday.
Police said Thursday Morrissey wasn't the driver of the tow truck, and that he told the tow truck employee driving the vehicle that both the cars they were picking up were his.
The tow company hasn't been charged with any crime.
Police are still investigating to determine whether there are any related cases.
Desch said auto thefts occur in many forms, but the most prevalent way is still by thieves taking cars that are left unlocked.
"We would continue to remind citizens to lock their cars and remove valuables," he said.
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