Burglars empty out Upper Pack home

SANDPOINT — A $1,000 reward is being offered for the apprehension and conviction of those behind a burglary in which an Upper Pack River summer home was thoroughly stripped of its contents.

“Our house was completely emptied out,” said the out-of-state landowner who asked not to be identified. “It’s like they moved us out.”

Along with the traditional items sought by burglars, such as electronics, sporting goods and antiques, thieves also made off with furniture, appliances, rugs, light fixtures, clothing and doors.

“They even took the toilet paper holder,” the landowner said.

The only things left behind were a bed and two dressers, items which the landowner suspects were too bulky to get down a spiral staircase in the home.

The heist was discovered on Monday, Sept. 20, and possibly occurred during the preceding weekend.

Bonner County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Johnston has been investigating residential burglaries for 20 years and admits he is surprised by how thorough the thieves were.

“Deputies always say, ‘Oh yeah, they cleaned out the house.’ Or the victims say, ‘They cleaned out the house.’ But they literally cleaned out the house on this one,” said Johnston.

Descriptions of the suspect vehicle are varied, Johnston said. Some witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored truck, while others reported seeing a light-colored one. The size of the rig has varied from big to small.

It’s not entirely clear if the thieves used a trailer, but Johnston said several trips to the home were likely required in order carry out the burglary.

Johnston said they are investigating two similar burglaries in the county that have occurred within the last six months.

Johnston recommends landowners in remote areas get to know their neighbors and to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activity or vehicles in their neighborhoods.

“The more eyes that you have in an area, the better off everybody’s going to be,” he said.

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Those with information about a recent burglary in the Upper Pack River area are asked to contact Bonner County Sheriff’s Sgt. Gary Johnston at (208) 263-8417, extension 3058.