Burglaries, scams on the rise; suspect sought
"While we like to think that this is a place where we don't need to lock our doors, but sadly that's not the case," said sheriff's investigator Dave McClelland.
Locking doors, even while home, and keeping an eye out for neighbors can go a long ways in deterring burglaries and theft; so, too, can keeping valuables hidden from plain sight.
Something that's proving helpful in helping to solve crimes after they've occurred are wildlife cameras, relatively inexpensive outdoor cameras designed to be triggered by movement. While perfect for getting shots of deer or elk passing by, they sometimes capture more elusive critters, such as the burglary suspect in the photo above.
If you recognize him, you're asked to call the sheriff's office at (208) 267-3151, extension 0.
He's suspected of breaking into a home and making away with numerous items, including an old-style decorative Indian bow and a quiver of arrows; a Pennsylvania-style .50-caliber muzzle loader, a Ruger hammerless .357-caliber pistol and a Marlin .22 rifle. It's believed he may have been driving an older blue or black Chevrolet pickup.
If you see suspicious activity, around your home or a neighbor's, don't be hesitant to call 911. If possible get a description of those acting out of place, as well as a description and license plate number of the vehicle they're in.
It might turn out they are just lost, which is fine. Peace officers don't mind lending a helping hand. But then it might be that they're not lost at all, but scoping out an area for possessions they might acquire at low risk to themselves so as to fuel whatever habits drive them, in which case your call could well save you or a neighbor a bit of heartache.
Another crime that's increasing is the incidence of scams; internet, e-mail, phone, even snail-mail, crimes in which the perpetrator is most often unseen and far away, but no less insidious.
In the face of local people being parted with their money, there is little the sheriff's office can do, but there is help available.
"We simply don't have the technology or means to track down and find these people," McClelland said. "They can be from anywhere in the world, and if we could track them down, it's likely we wouldn't have the jurisdiction to bring them in."
Whenever such scams are reported to the sheriff's office, the caller is advised to reach out to the FBI's Internet Crime Center, www.ic3.gov; where you can report the scam on-line and add to the national database of information needed to find and prosecute those responsible, no matter where in the world they might be hiding.