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Sam Penrod Reporting A widespread burglary ring in Cache County has been busted after more than 20 break-ins in recent days, including businesses, schools, even churches.
Four people were arrested early this morning -- two adults and two juveniles. Overall, they are accused of stealing $16,000 in property and money and causing several thousand more in damage.
News of the arrests is bringing a big sense of relief to the Cache Valley. For the last few nights several places have been broken into, but the suspects were caught, thanks to the help of several tips from the community.
This is some of the evidence both Logan Police and the Cache County Sheriff's office have, to help solve numerous break-ins that investigators believe they can now solve. Detectives say in nearly every case, the burglars broke windows and doors to get inside.
Lt. Rod Peterson Logan Police Dept: "It appears they went out with the idea of committing burglaries. They were equipped with the tools to gain entry, forced entry into these buildings."
Money was the primary motive. Three safes have been recovered, including one pulled out of an icy stream today, after one of the suspects told them where to look.
Lt. Matt Bilodeau, Cache County Sheriff's Office: "It has some change in it. We've only had it for about an hour. It hasn't even thawed out; it is still pretty frozen."
Besides businesses, the suspects targeted several schools in the area. In fact, number of keys were stolen from just one school. The worst part of all this is the damage caused when the burglars broke in.
"It's just not the items they stole, it is the amount of damage they have done to these buildings. It far exceeds what they were able to steal."
Police arrested Jason Crookston and Coby James, along with two teens, ages 17 and 14. Two other adults are cooperating in the investigation.
Lt. Matt Bilodeau: "Not all the money has been recovered. Most of the property has, and our goal is to recover all the property."
Authorities credit community help in reporting suspicious activities, in helping to catch the suspects.
"That's how we've been able to solve the last two burglaries here in the Logan area; we have our citizens to thank for that."
The suspects face several charges of burglary and theft, as well paying restitution for all of the damage.
