Police arrest suspects in Idaho burglary ring

Idaho officials say they have made arrests connected to a daytime burglary ring that was funding a group’s drug addiction.

More than 80 residential burglaries have been documented in Kootenai County since August. Some cases involved suspects kicking down doors and even squeezing through dog doors to get into homes.

Brad W. Whisner, 20, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglary. He’s believed to be an accomplice of William E. Fesmire, 21, who is suspected of burglarizing homes in the Echo Glenn Lane area of Coeur d’Alene.

Fesmire lived in the Echo Glenn neighborhood and would watch …

Idaho officials say they have made arrests connected to a daytime burglary ring that was funding a group’s drug addiction.

More than 80 residential burglaries have been documented in Kootenai County since August. Some cases involved suspects kicking down doors and even squeezing through dog doors to get into homes.

Brad W. Whisner, 20, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of burglary. He’s believed to be an accomplice of William E. Fesmire, 21, who is suspected of burglarizing homes in the Echo Glenn Lane area of Coeur d’Alene.

Fesmire lived in the Echo Glenn neighborhood and would watch nearby homes for opportunities to burglarize them, Sgt. Brandon McCormick said. Detectives identified him by reviewing grocery store surveillance video, and he’s wanted on suspicion of stealing more than $14,000 in cash.

On Wednesday, police arrested Steven R. Keniston, 22, James E. Porter, 23, and Melissa A. Roos, 20, on various burglary and theft charges. A warrant has been issued for Porter’s suspected accomplice, Samuel Z. Fetterhoff, 22.

Another suspected member of the burglary ring, William M. Schwald, 22, was arrested Thursday at Spokane International Airport, where he was trying to board a flight to Boise. He’s accused of burglarizing a home on Seventh Street in Coeur d’Alene with Porter.

Coeur d’Alene police identified the group as users of methamphetamine, heroin and Oxycontin.

Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls police and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office all took part in the investigation. Officials are still locating stolen property and hope to return items to victims.