Missing Cell Phone Leads Deputies to Burglary Arrest
Posted
Joe Boals-jboals@timesuniononline.com
A North Webster man found himself in jail over the weekend after leaving his cell phone behind in a Syracuse home break-in. Kenneth J. Keene, 51, North Webster, is preliminarily charged with felony burglary, theft, and criminal mischief due to the damage performed during entry into the Syracuse residence. Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded Saturday afternoon to the 9800 block of North Fourth of July Avenue, Syracuse, in regards to a burglary of a residence. Upon arrival, officers met with the homeowner who explained that he had previously been hospitalized and returned home to find his residence broken into. Officers discovered a broken window used to enter the dwelling, as well as missing prescription medication. Deputies also discovered fresh tire tracks and footprints outside of the residence, along with a cellular phone that was apparently dropped as the suspect fled out the window. Deputies were provided a list of possible suspects by the victim, and during the course of investigation, arrived at the home of Keene, who confirmed that he was currently missing his cell phone but said had not left the residence for the last two days. Other occupants of the residence provided statements to the contrary, confirming that Keene had left the residence in his vehicle the previous evening. After officers noted the similarities of Keene’s vehicle’s tire tread patterns and the shoe print design, a search warrant was acquired and executed on the residence. During the investigation, five different prescription medication bottles were located with various pills inside. The bottles each had their label removed and deputies subsequently also located various pipes used for smoking marijuana and other paraphernalia. Upon arrival at the Kosciusko County Jail, it was determined that Keene’s state of prescription medication intoxication was unsafe, and he was transported to the Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment. He was later brought back to KCJ and is currently being held on a prosecutorial hold by Kosciusko County Prosecutor Daniel Hampton.
