Footprints lead police to suspect

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Footprints in the mud have led to the arrest of a young teen allegedly behind a daring burglary.

According to Santa Fe County detectives, the generosity of the family that was robbed, helped them solve their own burglary.

On Friday the family came home to find many of their belongings gone, a total value of over $1,000.

The victim’s son noticed shoe impressions on the wet ground and recognized that the footprints were similar to a type of shoe he had recently given to his neighbor.

The prints led deputies to 16-year-old Jose Roybal. The victim’s son had given Roybal the pair of shoes he was wearing when he burglarized the home.

When deputies interviewed Roybal they said he was actually still wearing those same shoes.

Roybal admitted to breaking in to the house, stealing the goods and then selling them hours later for $300. But Roybal was not alone.

Roybal’s two cousins helped him carry out the crime, but police say the 16-year-old was the ring-leader.

All three suspects were charged with burglary, larceny and criminal damage to the property.