Snowy footprints lead to burglary arrest in Newton County

This month's wintry weather is being credited with helping investigators solve a burglary in Newton County.

Authorities there say 31-year-old Stephen McEntire was developed as a suspect after deputies responded to a burglary Tuesday in Western Grove and were able to follow footprints in the snow from the scene to McEntire's home.

Deputies then went to a home in Harrison where McEntire was thought to be staying, finding footprints in the snow there that matched the ones from the burglary scene, Sheriff Keith Slape said in a statement.

"The following day, deputies went back to the residence in Harrison and arrested McEntire where he subsequently confessed to the burglary," Slape wrote. "McEntire's shoes were located at the residence in Harrison along with a substantial amount of reported stolen property."

Police say McEntire also led investigators to another location where more stolen property had been "stashed." He faces charges of residential burglary, breaking or entering, theft of property and criminal trespass.

Bail was set at $25,000.

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