Footprints Left in Yard Led to Burglary Arrest

Footprints that an alleged burglar left in a yard on Monday led to his arrest on burglarly and drug charges while police were investigating the incident.

Justin Harbeck, 21, of 1 Oak St., Merrimack, was charged with burglary, receiving stolen property, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled drug – heroin and marijuana.

Merrimack Police were called on Jan. 14 to respond to Oak Street for a reported burglary after homeowners discovered a broken window used to gain entry into their house. Investigators who arrived at the scene said they found "numerous pieces of evidence" including footprints the suspect left in the yard.

While canvassing the neighborhood, Det. Christopher Dowling said he observed a print near a doorway at a home he'd stopped at to talk with the occupants. A search warrant secured to look at the shoes of one of the occupants of the home – Harbeck.

Police said when they entered the home they observed items reported stolen from his neighbor's house and found the shoes worn during the alleged burglary.

Harbeck was also found to be in possession of heroin and marijuana. He was arrested and released on $10,00 cash bail and was arraigned on Tuesday, Jan. 15. There was no word whether Harbeck is being looked at as a suspect in other burglaries reported recently.