ALBERT – A tip from an Albert resident led to the arrest of an alleged car thief from Hays and the recovery of a stolen vehicle, Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir said.

At about 9 a.m. Friday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious person near Farmers Bank in Albert. “An alert citizen reported seeing a white male exit a Suburban who appeared to be aimlessly walking in the area,” Bellendir said. 

Sheriff’s officers were dispatched to investigate and located the individual and vehicle. Upon conducting a standard registration check of the vehicle it was discovered the 1993 Chevrolet Suburban was stolen in Ellis County. 

The driver was identified as Thomas Alivas, age 34 of Hays. Alivas was wanted on an Ellis County warrant as well with a bond of $1,727.

The Barton County charges are for possession of stolen property. He is currently being held in the Barton County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bond, making his total bond $6,727.

“This incident underscores the importance of citizens contacting the Sheriff’s Office when they observe suspicious activity,” Bellendir said.