(KAIR)--The Atchison Police Department is investigating two vehicle thefts that have taken place within the past two weeks, and officials believe both may be connected.

The most recent case involves a 2002 Jeep Liberty that was taken from a home in the 900 block of Laramie Street Tuesday, and found several hours later in a Leavenworth neighborhood.

The first case involves a 2000 Dodge Caravan that was taken from a residence in the 500 block of North Fifth Street on June 13th, but recovered over a week later in the 1500 block of South Sixth Street.

Police Chief Mike Wilson says it is uncertain how long the first vehicle had been parked at that location. It had been taken ten days before it was found, but it could have been in that location since the day it was taken because it was in a secluded, remote area near a vacant house. However, it may have also been driven for several days before it was left in that locatin.

Wilson says both thefts appear to be related because they were taken from the same general area, and both had their steering columns manipulated to allow them to be driven, something, he says is not seen very much.  It was more common in years past, but newer vehicles have made it more difficult for it to be done as much.

Wilson says these cases are not connected with the vehicle thefts that took place earlier this year. Those cases were cleared with the arrest of two juveniles.

Police do not yet have any suspects in the recent thefts, but the search for leads continues.