Footprints lead police to suspects

Spokane police arrested two men over the weekend after thieves targeted Kmart, Taco Bell and 7-Eleven.

One man is accused of stealing about $25,000 worth of jewelry from the Kmart at 4110 E. Sprague Ave. after breaking a front window, said police spokeswoman Officer Jennifer DeRuwe.

Police followed footprints in the snow to find and arrest 25-year-old Kevin Bockelmann at his home about five blocks away.

“Bockelmann walked out of the house with no shoes on and very cold, wet feet,” DeRuwe said. “His right hand was bleeding and he was holding a green backpack. Inside the backpack were numerous pieces of jewelry, a collapsible baton and lots of broken pieces of glass.” 

Police think Bockelmann used the baton to break the glass, DeRuwe said. Bockelmann was charged with second-degree burglary and first-degree theft.

The arrest was among two in which footprints played a role. Police worked to unravel another crime early Sunday after a man attempted to rob the Taco Bell around the corner from the Spokane Police Department, and then hit a nearby 7-Eleven at Maxwell Avenue and Maple Street before stealing a 1985 Mustang, DeRuwe said.

Police spotted the stolen car within blocks of the convenience store, and again used the footprints-in-the-snow method with success.

Keys to the car, a handgun, cash, cigarettes and alcohol were found in the man’s apartment, DeRuwe said.

Prosecutors charged Scott B. Lindell, 22, with attempted first-degree robbery, first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle.