Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Tool trailer items recovered
COLFAX — A Lewiston man was arrested after admitting to his involvement in a burglary near the base of Steptoe Canyon on Wednesday, October 27.
Kevin Brotherton, 39, of Lewiston, was arrested after deputies from the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office connected him to a vehicle that was seen driving away from the burglary site.
Brotherton was booked into the Whitman County Jail for 2nd Degree Burglary, 3rd Degree Malicious Mischief, 3rd Degree Theft and Making or Having Burglar Tools. Additional persons of interest have been identified and may face charges for their involvement.
Brotherton first appeared in Superior Court on Thursday, October 26, and is set to appear again Friday, November 3.
The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office reports that during the morning of Monday, October 23, employees from the Whitman County Bridge Crew reported their tool trailer had been broken into, and items had been taken over the weekend. This was the second time in two weeks that the same trailer had been burglarized.
Deputies worked with landowner Toby Uhlenkott to view security camera footage to locate a unique late ’90s-’00s light blue Chevy S10 that was seen at the work site.
Whitman County Sheriff’s Deputy Cory Alcantar located a Chevy S10 that matched the vehicle last seen leaving the work site at 3 a.m. on Monday, October 23.
“The Chevy S10 was unique as it had an aftermarket three light set up in the front grill,” said Alcantar.
Within 24 hours, deputies located the light blue Chevy S10. Reports say that by Wednesday afternoon, Whitman County deputies found the vehicle’s owner and later contacted Brotherton at a residence in Lewiston. Alcantar confirmed that the vehicle involved in the burglary was the same one belonging to Brotherton.
The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office also reports that some of the items from the theft were observed in plain view in the back of the vehicle at that time.
“I called the Whitman County Roads Department and confirmed the laser level was theirs. I seized the stolen property as evidence. I also seized the tools used in the burglary as evidence,” added Alcantar.
Brotherton was taken to the Clarkston Police Department for an interview. Brotherton later admitted to his involvement in the burglary and was taken into custody.
“Brotherton admitted to attempting to cut the locks with his bolt cutters, which he pointed to in the back of his pickup next to where we stood,” said Alcantar.
Brotherton also reportedly admitted to Alcantar that he was responsible for cutting the bracket with a Sawzall, which was in his pickup. In addition, he also admitted to going into the trailer and taking a couple of sockets and files as well as the laser level.
Olivia Harnack is a Journalist at the Whitman County Gazette. Olivia is enrolled at University of Idaho and is majoring in digital film studies. She serves in the United States Army National Guard and is proud to serve Whitman County.
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