October 15, 2024 |
PHOTO – Patch and badge – Courtesy RPD
The Rawlins man arrested for illegally entering more than 30 vehicles has been charged with five counts of burglary.
Around 6:00 am on Thursday, October 3rd, the Rawlins Police Department began receiving calls about motor vehicle related burglaries in the Highland Hills section of the city.
Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward told Bigfoot99 that upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered numerous vehicles had been illegally entered throughout the night.
Roughly five hours after the crimes were reported, Rawlins police announced on social media that a suspect had been arrested. Chief Ward said officers used nearby private security cameras to identify Highland Hills resident Linken Schoenfeld as the perpetrator.
Chief Ward said video evidence shows that Schoenfeld illegally entered over 30 vehicles in the Highland Hills neighborhood between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. The suspect is accused of stealing a variety of items, including keys, cash, and weapons.
The handgun Schoenfeld is reported to have stolen has not been recovered. The remainder of the recovered stolen items are being held as evidence.
Schoenfeld was arrested shortly after the crimes were reported on suspicion of burglary. In Wyoming, state statute defines burglary as entering a vehicle with the intent to steal. The suspect was seen in Carbon County Circuit Court last week where he pleaded not guilty to five felony burglary charges.
Schoenfeld will have a preliminary hearing tomorrow, October 16th, where Circuit Court Judge Honorable Susan Stipe will determine if prosecutors have enough evidence to move forward with a full trial.
Meanwhile, Schoenfeld is being held in the Carbon County Jail on a $25,000 cash bond.
