Burglars had a busy summer in Bonner County

SANDPOINT - Burglaries and attempted burglaries have been almost daily occurrences since June, according to dispatch logs published by Bonner County 911.

There have been nearly 130 service calls classified as burglaries or attempted burglaries since the start of June, although that number can be misleading.

That sum, for instance, does not include calls where a residential or commercial burglar alarm was activated because the countermeasures can be accidentally be tripped. Moreover, that number includes some shoplifting calls because authorities here have a custom of prosecuting those cases as burglaries.

Entering a business with the intent to commit theft is considered burglary, according to Idaho Code.

Between June 1 and Sept. 24, there were a total of 37 days sprinkled throughout that time frame where no service calls for burglary turned up in the dispatch log.

Bonner County Sheriff's Det. Sgt. Gary Johnston said the number of burglaries reported during that time span is not unusual for this time of year, although he attributes a recent spike to a prolific burglar from Ponderay.

Kenneth Thomas McGuire was picked up on drug charges earlier this month and found to be in possession of items reported stolen in a number of burglaries.

"That accounted for quite a few of them right there," Johnston said.

Investigators determined that McGuire and his associates were casing properties and posing as homebuyers when confronted. Sheriff's officials urged residents to keep an eye out and report suspicious subjects or activity.

The Sandpoint Police Department declined to comment on the nearly 30 burglaries that have occurred since June.

A number of businesses have been hit by break-ins this summer and fall. One burglarized business suggested putting out a public warning to make sure other businesses were aware burglars could be targeting them, but said police urged against it.

The department's Facebook page is also devoid of warnings or advice about guarding against burglaries.

Sandpoint Police Chief Corey Coon did not respond to a request for comment on burglaries in the city.