Thief Leaves Backpack at the Scene
Thu Jun 6, 8:57 PM ET
By The Associated Press

SMELTERVILLE, Idaho (AP) - The alleged burglar of the Lookout Ski Shop in Kellogg forgot a key element that made the investigation easy, Shoshone County authorities said.

He left behind the key to his post office box.

Jesse W. Murphy, 21, was booked into jail Tuesday on a charge of burglary in the break-in early that morning, sheriff's Detective Mitch Alexander said.

A backpack left at the scene contained a set of keys, including one for the post office box.

Alexander and Pinehurst Police Chief Brad Kitchen determined who had the box and headed to Murphy's home in Smelterville. Alexander said the next clue was at their feet.

"There was a price tag for a snowboard with the regular price and sale price laying right at the foot of the front door," Alexander said. "It was the same type of tag I had seen in the shop while we were processing the scene."