Two Cromwell men are in custody following a rash of business break ins and burglaries in the Cromwell, Wright and Kettle River areas of Carlton County in the early morning hours of Jan. 15.
Brent Robert Mootz, 18, and Michael Francis Whaley, 18, each face two felony counts of second degree burglary, three counts of third degree burglary and one count of theft in relation to the break ins.
Carlton County sheriff's deputies responded to multiple reports of burglaries in Cromwell, Wright and Kettle River the morning of Jan. 15. Through investigation at the sites, deputies found tennis shoe-type footprints that were in excess of 12 inches, indicating a larger than average shoe print. They also discerned that certain vehicle tracks were the same at all of the burglary sites, appearing to be from a passenger vehicle or light truck with an identical face tread. A video surveillance tape from the Citgo gas station in Cromwell also played a role in identifying the vehicle driven during the commission of the burglaries, which belonged to a Cromwell resident.
According to complaints filed in Sixth District Court in Carlton County, Mootz and Whaley were arrested on Jan. 17 after a search warrant was executed by Carlton County sheriff's deputies at the Cromwell residence, where Mootz had been staying. At that time, Mootz was interviewed and admitted to committing the burglaries, and some of the stolen items were located on the premises.
After also learning that Whaley may have been involved in the break ins, Carlton County deputies interviewed him, and he, too, admitted to committing multiple burglaries in the early morning hours of Jan. 15. He said entry was gained to various businesses by breaking windows, prying doors or kicking and forcing in doors.
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In the two men's statements, they indicated the first place they broke in was Kettle River Hair Creations, where they took cash, bank slips and merchandise. The two males then allegedly went on to break into Kabinn's, where they stole several packs of cigarettes and an undisclosed amount of cash. After that, they reportedly obtained a crow bar and went to the Cromwell Liquor Store and broke open a window in an attempt to gain entrance. They were deterred when an alarm sounded and they left.
The two then allegedly went on to the Farmer's Co-op in Wright, where they kicked open the back door and went inside. Once again, they were frightened off by the building's alarm system. From there, they reportedly proceeded to GEM Automotive in Cromwell, where they broke the front window and entered the business and stole a computer and cash box as well as miscellaneous other items.
On the same night, they admitted to going to Steve's Auto Body in Wright and stealing two tires from a Ford SUV parked outside the business.
Authorities later learned that the two men had been arrested in Pine County for possession of stolen property prior to the series of incidents in Carlton County.
The two men are currently being held in the Carlton County Jail pending their first court appearance. Second degree burglary charges involve a maximum sentence of 10 years and/or $20,000. Third degree burglary charges involve a maxiumum sentence of five years and/or $10,000, and theft charges involved a maximum sentence of one year and/or $3,000.
Pine Journal Publisher/reporter Wendy Johnson can be contacted at: wjohnson@pinejournal.com .
