Lost shoe leads to burglary suspect

Officers responded to an audible alarm at a business in the 2400 block of Commercial Avenue and found an open window. Witnesses reported seeing two males exit the window and flee on foot after the alarm activated. Officers checked the interior of the business and discovered that one of the suspects had lost a shoe.

A short time later, a citizen reported that he had picked up a young male hitchhiker who told the citizen that he and his friend had broken into a business to steal some beer and that he had lost his shoes after fleeing when an alarm went off.  The description of the hitchhiker and the location he was dropped off at matched that of a 15-year-old boy who officers had dealt with previously. 

The officers went to the teen’s residence where they spoke with him and his parents who confirmed that the boy had arrived home a short time earlier and that he was shoeless.  The boy then admitted that he had broken into the business with another 15-year-old Anacortes boy with the intent to steal beer.  Officers then contacted then second boy at his home and he admitted to breaking into the business with the other teen. 

Both boys were booked into juvenile detention for investigation of burglary.