Arrest made in connection with local burglaries

On Dec. 28, 2017, Elmore County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of the burglary and theft of several hundred pounds of copper wire and tools from a barn, located outside Mt. Home. Deputies again responded to the same location on Jan. 18 for the theft of similar items.

On Feb. 9, after a lengthy investigation, detectives arrested Austin Matthew Kessler while he was attempting to pawn some of the stolen items. During the investigation, detectives also revealed that the majority of the copper wire had been sold to a recycling firm in Mountain Home and totaled over $4,000. The suspect now faces five counts of felony burglary with other possible charges pending.

Mr. Kessler is currently being held in the Elmore County Detention Facility on $25,000 bond.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens to be diligent and report any suspicious vehicles, persons, circumstances or behavior by calling 911.

This is an ongoing investigation.