Theft charges filed in probe of Kan. girls death

8/27/2010 04:10:16 PM

WICHITA, Kan. – Authorities filed burglary and theft charges Friday against the man they were seeking in connection with the death of a 14-year-old central Kansas girl whose charred body was discovered at an asphalt plant.

The Kansas attorney general's office said Adam Joseph Longoria was caught Friday by the Kansas Highway Patrol off Interstate 70 near Salina. He is being held in Barton County and officials do not believe Longoria has an attorney yet.

Longoria was charged with one count each of vehicle burglary and theft of property, relating to a vehicle stolen from the asphalt plant where the body of Alicia DeBolt was found on Tuesday. His first court appearance is set for 10 a.m. Monday.

Authorities had asked earlier Friday for the public's help in finding the 36-year-old man, also known as "Rocco," calling him a "person of interest" in the girl's death. He was found driving a 2002 white Ford Explorer believed stolen sometime between 1 and 2 a.m. Friday from Venture Corp.

An employee with Venture Corp., a Great Bend paving company, found the girl's body behind gravel piles at the company's asphalt plant five miles west of the city. Alicia left her house at about 11 p.m. Saturday to go to a party, and her family reported her missing on Sunday afternoon after she failed to return home.

The Wichita coroner used dental records to identify the girl because her body had been burned beyond recognition.

Gavin Young, spokesman for the attorney general's office, has declined to elaborate on Longoria's connection to the case or to the asphalt plant. Venture Corp. also declined comment. Calls to Longoria's home were not answered Friday.

"As the investigation into the murder of Alicia DeBolt continues, we continue to urge individuals with any information on this case to come forward to law enforcement," Attorney General Steve Six said in a news release. "Law enforcement continues to use all tools at their disposal to provide justice for Alicia and her friends and family."

Young said law enforcement officials searched Longoria's home in Great Bend Thursday, but he would not say who had been interviewed.

Alicia would have began her freshman year at high school on Monday. Her family members have said she was excited to start school and was looking forward to being a cheerleader.