THOMAS COUNTY—Law enforcement investigating a series of burglaries in northwest Kansas have made an arrest.
According to online jail records, 50-year-old Leonard Malcom Ramsey was booked into the jail in Rooks County on June 19 and later transferred to Thomas County. Ramsey is being held in connection with burglary investigation that occurred on May 21, in Thomas County.
Just before 1a.m. May 21, a Deputy with the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office observed suspicious activity in the south parking lot of Great Western Tire located in the 1100 block of South Country Club Drive in Colby, according to a media release from the sheriff's office.
As the Deputy approached to investigate, a truck fled the area. The vehicle was later located abandoned in the 1100 block of Golden Avenue. Investigators determined the suspect fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.
A second vehicle, a 2011 Mazda sedan, was discovered parked approximately 30 yards north of the abandoned truck on Golden Avenue. The Mazda displayed a false license plate and was also found abandoned.
The Sheriff's Office determined that between approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 21, 2026, and 12:45 a.m. on May 22, 2026, Leonard entered Colby from East College Drive while driving the Mazda sedan. During that time, Leonard allegedly burglarized several vehicles and properties in the area before being interrupted while attempting to steal a truck from the Great Western Tire parking lot.
The Thomas County Sheriff’s Office identified eight vehicles that were burglarized and one building that was the target of an attempted burglary
The Sheriff's identified Ramsey as a potential suspect in the investigation.
As of May 22, 2026, the Sheriff's Office recovered numerous items of stolen property and have contacted the owners. The suspect was also believed to have left Thomas County.