A 2018 Jeep Compass that was reported stolen Wednesday night on East Kirwin has been located and the man suspected of stealing it has been arrested.

Salina Police Captain Paul Forrester said Friday that the owner of the Jeep reported that the keys and debit card were stolen from her purse prior to the Jeep being stolen. The debit card was used Wednesday night to purchase a cellphone for $265 at Walmart, 2900 S. Ninth Street, he added.

At 8:15 a.m. Thursday, a Salina Police detective checking an automatic license plate reader noticed multiple alerts for the tag on the Jeep in the 500 block of South 12th Street, Forrester said. When officers arrived, they found the Jeep parked on the east side of 12th Street, he said.

Officers also noticed a number of people outside a residence in the 500 block of South 12th Street. The officers made contact with the resident of the home who confirmed that the known subject police were looking for in the case was in the basement, Forrester said. The suspect refused to come out and upon a search of the residence, police located Brandon Reece, 34, of Salina, in a crawlspace under some clothing, Forrester said. Additionally, police also located a Walmart bag and a receipt for the cellphone, he said. Police also have video surveillance of the cellphone purchase, Forrester added.

Reece was arrested on suspicion of felony theft, criminal use of a financial card, and felony obstruction, Forrester said.