Police identify man accused of car thefts
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UPDATE:
The Rexburg Police Department has identified the suspect of last week’s vehicle thefts as 28-year-old Robert James Mathews.
Authorities say he’s a multi-felony offender out of Washington.
“He’s got a lot of criminal history behind him,” Captain Randy Lewis said.
Mathews was arrested for felony theft, but official charges are still pending. He was booked into the Madison County Jail.
ORIGINAL STORY:
REXBURG — Authorities have arrested a man in connection with several vehicle thefts and vandalism at Smart Cents Auto Sales last week.
This week, the Rexburg Police Department identified a suspect in the thefts, and on Wednesday, obtained a search warrant for a home in the 100 block of Webster Avenue, north of Ace Hardware.
While issuing the warrant, the individual barricaded himself inside the home and refused to come out, Rexburg Police Chief Shane Turman told EastIdahoNews.com. A baby was also inside the residence which police could hear crying.
RELATED: Break-in and cars stolen at Rexburg car dealership
Turman said police were able to negotiate with the man and he released himself to police peacefully.
It’s unclear if any charges have been filed against him.
Smart Cents Auto Sales, at 250 West Main Street in Rexburg, was broken into on Oct. 4. Three cars were stolen from the lot, car keys were stolen and car windows were shattered.
EastIdahoNews.com will post more details as they become available.
