Cedar Mill burglars plead guilty

WALLACE — In a busy Law Day on April 29, Judge Scott Wayman addressed the criminal cases of more than 30 individuals at the Shoshone County Courthouse.

Among the many criminal cases heard were the two of William R. Croston, 39, of Hayden and Earl E. Jones, 41, of Smelterville.

The two men were arrested on March 26 after they set off a business alarm when they broke into the Enyeart Cedar Mill in Smelterville.

Due to the complexity of the mill building and unknown hazards, assistance from a dual purpose (criminal apprehension) K-9 was requested from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department by SCSO.

During the course of the building search, the entry team successfully located Croston and Jones. One of the subjects was taken into custody without incident, while the other was apprehended by the K-9 after it bit him on the arm just above the elbow.

At Law Day, both men accepted plea deals offered by the state and plead guilty to one count of burglary in exchange for the remaining charges being dropped.

Croston was initially facing criminal charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespassing, resisting, obstructing and delaying officers, and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Jones received similar charges that included burglary, criminal conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, criminal trespassing, and resisting, obstructing and delaying officers.

The maximum penalty that both men could be facing is 10 years in jail and/or various fines.

Croston has lengthy criminal history in the state of Idaho that mostly involves driving violations, and minor drug and alcohol charges in both Shoshone and Kootenai counties.

Jones has a similar criminal history that also involves driving violations and drug charges in both Shoshone and Kootenai counties.