Two Pocatello men were recently arrested after police say they broke into a man's trailer during the early morning hours on Sunday and made off with a toolbox containing thousands of dollars worth of tools before returning to steal an air compressor.
Kyle Ray Alexy, 37, and Justin K. Guinn, 52, have each been charged with one felony count of grand theft, according to police and court records the Idaho State Journal recently obtained. Prosecutors have also filed notice they will seek a persistent violator enhancement against both men based on their prior felony convictions.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. Sunday when Pocatello police were dispatched to a residence on Bridger Street for a report of a burglary in progress, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed in 6th District Court on Monday.
Upon arriving, officers made contact with the property owner, who had detained Alexy at the scene. The victim told police the two suspects had come to his property twice that night, the report says.
During the first visit, they took a Milwaukee brand toolbox containing over $10,000 in tools from his trailer, adding that he discovered the theft when he returned home and found his truck doors open and the toolbox missing, police said.
He searched the area but could not locate the suspects, but a short time later his dogs began to bark and so he looked outside to find the two men back at his trailer attempting to steal his air compressor, according to the report.
The victim confronted them, at which point Guinn fled the area, though he was able to catch Alexy and physically restrain him until officers arrived on scene, police said.
When interviewed, Alexy told police that Guinn had invited him to go dumpster diving and, while searching for dumpsters, Guinn spotted the owner's trailer and suggested they take some of the tools, according to the report.
Alexy said he had not seen Guinn take the toolbox and did not see him leave with it. He stated that after returning to drop off the toolbox at Alexy's residence, Guinn suggested they go back to take more items from the trailer, at which point they were confronted by the owner, police said.
Guinn was later located at Alexy's residence and interviewed by officers, confirming that he and Alexy had gone dumpster diving when they discovered the trailer and chose to take the toolbox, according to the report.
Guinn told officers the toolbox did not belong to Alexy, and that Alexy had been the one to steal it, adding that they returned to the trailer to take more items before being confronted by the owner and fleeing, the report says.
Both Alexy and Guinn were charged, arrested and booked into the Bannock County Jail on burglary charges.
Alexy and Guinn appeared before 6th District Magistrate Judge David A. Hooste for arraignment hearings on Monday where Guinn’s bond was set at $10,000 and Alexy’s was set at $2,500.
They are each scheduled to appear in court again on April 28 for preliminary hearings. Prosecutors will attempt to present sufficient evidence to elevate the cases from magistrate to district court for trial.