Kootenai County woman arrested following Kellogg home invasion

KELLOGG — A joint operation between Shoshone County law enforcement agencies and the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a Medimont woman following a reported home break-in near Kellogg.

Amber Eldredge, 40, was taken into custody Monday and charged with robbery, battery with intent to commit a serious felony, burglary and grand theft of a firearm.

According to police records, Shoshone County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Abshire responded to a report of a domestic dispute in progress at a residence just outside Kellogg. Upon arrival, he found the victim, 57-year-old Robert Hanson, outside the home shirtless, with what appeared to be severely irritated skin.

Hanson told police he and Eldredge had previously been in a relationship but broke up four months ago. He said the incident began after he told Eldredge “he no longer wanted anything to do with her,” prompting her to drive to his home.

Hanson said he tried to block her entry, but she allegedly told him she was armed and “would shoot the door if he did not get out of the way.”

Hanson told Abshire that Eldredge was armed with a 9mm handgun.

According to police records, Hanson said Eldredge began striking him after entering the home, then retrieved a can of bear spray and sprayed him as he attempted to retreat into the bathroom.

Eldredge then reportedly took items before leaving the scene.

“Our investigators worked closely with the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office, who apprehended Eldredge at her residence in Medimont,” the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement Tuesday. 

Eldredge was taken to the Kootenai County jail, where she will be extradited back to Shoshone County.

In 2023, Eldredge pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault. The court withheld judgment in exchange for her completion of a court-mandated anger management course.

Eldredge faces a potential maximum sentence of 14 years for the firearm theft, 20 years for the battery charge, 10 years for burglary and life imprisonment for the robbery charge.