More than four and a half years after he allegedly burglarized at least 50 vehicles in about two hours, a Missouri man is now in custody and facing dozens of charges.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Office booking logs show Samual Brad Thomas Jr., 24, of Kansas City, Missouri, was arrested Thursday, Aug. 13, on a felony warrant issued in January of this year.
According to the criminal complaint, the vehicle burglaries all happened in the early-morning hours of Oct. 14, 2021, in Lenexa.
The Johnson County District Attorney’s Office has charged Thomas with 30 felony counts of burglary of a motor vehicle and two additional misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property of under $1,000.
50+ vehicles impacted by spree in Lenexa
A Post reporter spoke to one of the victims of the 2021 burglary spree who says his SUV was one of 10 vehicles in the Four Colonies Homes Association, near 81st Street and Quivira Road, in Lenexa, that were broken into on Oct. 14, 2021.
The man says the suspect smashed a window out of all 10 vehicles in the subdivision.
The victim, who requested not to be identified, told the Post that Lenexa Police informed him in 2021 that the same suspect was believed to have carried out a two-hour auto burglary spree that ultimately impacted 55 vehicles between roughly 75th and 79th streets, and between Quivira and Pflumm roads.
Thomas made his first appearance in court on Friday, Aug. 14, where a public defender was appointed to represent him in future court hearings.
Magistrate Judge Wayne Smith set Thomas’ bond at $50,000.
Request to lower bond
Court records show Thomas requested that the judge lower his bond.
The judge denied the request. However, a bond modification hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m., before District Court Judge Neil B. Foth, who will preside over the remainder of the criminal case.
After the bond modification hearing, Thomas’ next court appearance will be a preliminary hearing scheduled for Oct. 21 at 1:30 p.m.
As of Friday morning, Thomas remains in Sheriff’s Office custody at the New Century Adult Detention Center.
