Burglar Leaves Trail Of Footprints For Deputies To Follow

SPANAWAY, WA - A 28-year-old burglary suspect literally left a trail for Pierce County Sheriff's deputies to follow early Monday when his footprints in the snow led investigators from the scene of the alleged break-in to the suspect's poorly chosen hiding place about 2 miles away.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, a woman called 911 just after 2:30 a.m. Feb. 11 to report a man was attempting to force open the front door of her home on 27th Avenue Court East near Spanaway. While traveling to the woman's home, deputies were told the suspect fled after the woman shouted at him, telling him to get out.

At the home deputies quickly located footprints in more than one foot of snow leading from the front door to a camper trailer in the driveway, sheriff's officials said. A quick search of the trailer proved fruitless; however, the suspect's footprints continued beyond the trailer and over a fence toward Military Road.

As deputies followed the trail, they reportedly picked up various items from the woman's home that the suspect reportedly abandoned in his flight, including a laptop, purse, checkbook and suitcase.

Following the footprints like a Bil Keane Family Circus strip, the deputies climbed fences and at least one ladder, crossed yards, and walked in multiple circles through the surrounding neighborhood for roughly an hour before finding fresh prints leading to a tarp-covered vehicle.

With no footprints beyond the vehicle, deputies called out the suspect and eventually tore off the tarp to find him laying across the vehicle's backseat. Refusing the exit the car, the suspect was forcibly removed through one of the car windows. Outside the car, the suspect then refused to identify himself.

A quick search of the suspect produced a small knife, a flashlight, three garage door openers, and the burglary victim's wallet, officials said, noting also the suspect's shoe tread matched the footprints they'd followed over the past hour.

Ultimately, the suspect was taken to Pierce County Jail on suspicion of burglary, vehicle prowling, and resisting arrest.

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Image via Pierce County Sheriff's Office