Apprehension K9 utilized in late night burglary arrests

SMELTERVILLE – Two male suspects were taken into custody Tuesday night after police used a criminal apprehension K9 to help subdue them.

The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office reports that on March 26 at approximately 10:05 p.m., 911 dispatch received a call from a security company reporting that the business alarm at Enyeart Cedar Mill in Smelterville had been activated.

On arrival, responding SCSO deputies and Kellogg Police Department officers discovered evidence of forced entry into the Cedar Mill.

While units continued to search the area and surrounding buildings, a male subject was seen attempting to leave one of the large mill site buildings through a window. This subject was immediately ordered to come out of the building, but the subject refused the order and retreated back inside.

Due to the complexity of the mill building and unknown hazards, assistance from a dual purpose (criminal apprehension) K9 was requested from the Coeur d’Alene Police Department. After the arrival of CDAPD officers and accompanying K9, entry was made into the building.

During the course of the building search, the entry team successfully located two subjects-later identified as William R. Croston, 39, of Hayden and Earl E. Jones, 41, of Smelterville. One of the subjects was taken into custody without incident, while the other was apprehended by the K9 after it bit him on the arm just above the elbow. The suspect that got bit was treated by medical personnel on scene before being taken to jail.

Croston is facing criminal charges of burglary, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespassing, resisting/obstructing/delaying officers and use or possession of drug paraphernalia. Jones is receiving similar charges that include burglary, criminal conspiracy, possession of burglary tools, criminal trespassing and resisting/obstructing/delaying officers.

Croston has lengthy criminal history in the State of Idaho that mostly involves driving violations and minor drug/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.

SCSO Undersheriff Holly Lindsey was pleased with the outcome of the incident and was appreciative of the assisting agencies.

“A huge thank you goes out to the Coeur d’Alene Police Department and the Kellogg Police Department for their assistance in keeping our community safe,” she said in a news release.