Four men have been arrested in connection with a rash of burglaries, thefts, vehicle thefts and vehicle prowling incidents in the Malott and Brewster areas, said Okanogan County sheriff Frank Rogers.
     "During the thefts, thousands of dollars worth of items have been stolen, including tools, power tools, firearms, food, computers and a host of other items," said Rogers. "The burglaries have occurred at residences, shops, sheds and businesses."
     Rogers said his deputies have been investigating the burglaries for weeks and chasing every lead they could find.
     A break came Sept. 25 with arrest of a man believed to be involved in the cases. Between Sept. 25 and Sept. 27 a total of four men were arrested.
     The men, ages 39, 40, 42 and 51, are from Malott, Okanogan and Omak.
     As of Sept. 27, deputies have been able to solve at least 15 different burglaries that occurred from Malott to Brewster, and Douglas County, he said.
     Four vehicles were reported stolen during the crime spree, and one was stolen from Airway Heights and brought to Okanogan County, Rogers said. All were located and recovered.
     "Some of the stolen vehicles were actually being used to commit the burglaries and then later dumped off in different areas while another vehicle was stolen to continue with the thefts," Rogers said.
     Investigators believe the burglaries and thefts were being done to supply the drug habits of the suspects, who were trading the stolen property for drugs - mostly methamphetamine and cocaine - and cash, the sheriff said.
     In the span of around three weeks the four "pretty much raided the south end of the county, stealing anything they could find and creating a list of victims," said Rogers. "The investigation also shows that the suspects at times worked together or in separate groups to commit the crimes."
     Rogers said the investigation is ongoing, with additional arrests expected.
     Other than the vehicles, very little of the stolen property has been recovered, but deputies are following up leads to possible sites where the stolen property may have been taken, Rogers said.
     Several other burglaries and thefts will be resolved as the investigation continues into these four suspects and others, he predicted.
     The investigation was spearheaded by the Okanogan County Sheriff's Office, but assistance came from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and Brewster Police Department.
     Rogers said his deputies "have spent a lot of hours and overtime hours working these cases and have done an incredible job."
     All four suspects are well known by law enforcement, said Rogers.
     The suspects were booked into the county jail on suspicion of a variety of crimes including first- and second-degree burglary, possession of stolen property, theft of a firearm, first- and second-degree theft and vehicle theft.
     One man was booked on suspicion of three crimes, two on five and one on six.
     Arrests were made in Omak, Okanogan, Malott and on Highway 17 between Brewster and Bridgeport.