KCSO arrests suspect in string of vehicle burglaries in Hayden

Police arrested a man Sunday in connection with a string of auto burglaries in Hayden.

Kenneth E. Mott, 44, was arrested and transported to the Kootenai County Jail, where he was booked on multiple counts of burglary and theft, according to a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office press release.

The release said that at about 5 a.m. Sunday, a resident in the 10000 block of N. Sunview Lane in Hayden contacted KCSO after witnessing a possible vehicle burglary involving a neighbor’s vehicle. The resident also provided deputies with a general description of the suspect vehicle.

Deputies responded to the area and located a vehicle matching the description. After observing multiple traffic violations, deputies initiated a traffic stop. During the stop, deputies observed several items in plain view inside the vehicle that they suspected were stolen, the release said.

During the investigation, the driver was identified as Mott, who "admitted to breaking into multiple vehicles throughout the Hayden area during the night and stealing property from them. Deputies subsequently drove Mott through the area, where he identified multiple vehicles he admitted to burglarizing," according to the release.

Deputies have since received numerous additional reports of vehicle burglaries in the same area. The release said these incidents are believed to be connected to Mott.

An investigation continues. Investigators anticipate additional charges as they continue to identify victims and recover stolen property.