Three Topeka men arrested in connection with auto burglaries in southwestern Lawrence

Lawrence police arrested three Topeka men Thursday morning as suspects in at least two vehicle burglaries in southwestern Lawrence.

Kim Murphree, a police spokeswoman, said a neighbor in the Aberdeen Apartments complex, 2300 Wakarusa Drive, noticed suspicious activity in the parking lot about 4:45 a.m., and officers later arrested the three men.

According to court records, Douglas County prosecutors Thursday filed charges of burglary of a vehicle and conspiracy to commit burglary against Nathaniel A. Cisneros, 19, and Damien S. Schaffer and Dalton S. Slavens, both 18. Prosecutors accuse the men of burglarizing one vehicle and participating in a scheme to drive around various locations looking for unlocked cars to burglarize and checking for unlocked cars at the apartment complex.

Murphree said the men are suspected of committing at least two burglaries in the area, but officers have recovered items and expect to connect the men to other burglaries.

Cisneros was released from jail Thursday afternoon after posting $4,500 bond and given notice to appear in court May 19. Schaffer and Slavens appeared in court Thursday afternoon, where a judge set bond at $4,000 for each of defendant.