Muddy Footprint Leads To Teenager's Arrest In Tiverton House Breaks

have charged a local teenager with three felony counts of breaking and entering following an investigation into a wave of residential and business break-ins.

The discovery of a muddy footprint helped detectives crack the case, according to Lt. Patrick Jones.

Kyle Richard Mendoza, 18, of 28 Hooper St., Tiverton, was arrested at 9:32 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30. He is charged with three counts of breaking and entering into a dwelling house without the consent of owner, and one count of conspiracy to commit breaking and entering.

Ten residential and were reported to the department in early September, according to Lt. Jones. Most of the reported breaks occurred in the north end of Tiverton.

Officers who interviewed Mendoza say he admitted his involvement in several recent break-ins, including reported break-ins at 129 Bottom Street, 5 East Beardsworth Road and 16 Springer Avenue.

Jones said the reported break-in at 129 Bottom St. helped the case when detectives recovered a muddy footprint left behind.

"When Mr. Mendoza allegedly broke into this house, he stepped on a small pile pf laundry," Jones said. "In doing so, he left a foot impression of a pair of sneakers on a pair of white shorts that were on the ground. Detectives were able to match that muddy footprint to a pair of sneakers worn by Mr. Mendoza."

During their investigation, officers discovered that Mendoza had pawned several items that were reported stolen. Jones said a court warrant was issued for Mendoza on Thursday, Sept. 29, and on Friday, officers obtained search warrants for Mendoza’s home and the home of an alleged accomplice. 

"It’s a great job by the detecives following up with all these house breaks," Jones added.

The investigations were conducted by Det. Sgt. Michael Miguel, Det. Brendan McKinnon, Det. Daniel Martin, and Officer Sakhon Uon.

The case remains under investigation, and more arrests are expected.  Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Tiverton Police Department Detective Division at 401-625-6716.