Home burglary suspect arrested

POST FALLS — A report from a neighbor taking care of a Post Falls-area home led to the arrest of a home burglary suspect on Monday afternoon. 

Kootenai County deputies found Laura K. Kees, 50, Coeur d'Alene, hiding under a large plastic storage tub in the garage after they responded to the home at 1 p.m. in the area of Driftwood Drive and Greensferry Road south of Post Falls along the Spokane River.

She was taken into custody without incident and was booked into the local jail for burglary.

"When the neighbor went to check on the home, he noticed fresh shoeprints in the snow leading from the roadway to the residence, but no shoeprints leaving the residence," a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office press release states. 

Prior to finding Kees, deputies noticed several expensive items, including TVs, entertainment systems and other electronics had been disconnected and appeared to be gathered for removal from the residence.

Kees initially refused to give deputies information as to her involvement with the alleged burglary, but later said she and a “friend” had gone to the residence because the “friend” had left some of his property in the house. "Unfortunately, she was unable to explain why there were only one set of shoeprints leading to the house – and the tread matched the shoes she was wearing," the press release states.

Kees has been booked into the local jail 25 times since 1992 for several charges including DUI, contempt of court, possession of drugs, theft, eluding, battery and possession of stolen property.

The homeowners were reportedly out of town during the alleged incident.