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Serial burglar arrested, tracked by footprints in snow

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — A 49-year-old serial burglary suspect is in custody after a K9 led deputies on a 2.5-mile track into woods on the eastern edge of the King County Grand Ridge Park, the King County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

The suspect has been identified as Shayne C. Kennedy. Click here to read KIRO 7 coverage of an arrest of Kennedy in 2014.

The Sheriff's Office said since August 2018, deputies had been looking for Kennedy "who had been terrorizing homeowners by breaking into their garages, sheds and outbuildings."

Over the past few weeks, detectives said they spent time searching the woods surrounding the victim's homes in an attempt to locate the suspect.

Deputies said just before 9 a.m. on Feb. 11, "a witness called 911 to report that he had just seen the suspect walking east on SE Issaquah-Fall City RD, just south of the Duthie Hill Park. The witness recognized the suspect from the social media postings."

When deputies responded, they said Kennedy had already left the roadway.

In about a foot of snowfall, deputies said they found a set of boot prints leading into woods at the eastern edge of King County Grand Ridge Park.

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"K9 Deputy Didway and his K9 partner, Ranger, started tracking where the boot prints in the snow led into the woods. Deep into the woods, about 2 1/2 miles from the road, K9 Ranger located a campsite," the Sheriff's Office said.

When deputies approached the camp, they said they saw Kennedy and arrested him without incident.

Kennedy was booked into the King County Jail on investigation of burglary and theft.

The Sheriff's Office said over two truckloads of suspected stolen items were removed from the Kennedy's camp -- and now deputies are searching for the owners of the items. Click here to view pictures of the items deputies recovered.

Anyone who recognizes the items is asked to contact the King County Sheriff's Office at 206-296-3311.