RATHDRUM - An officer already investigating suspicious bootprints in the snow and an alert resident are believed to have cracked a major burglary spree case, police say.

Jeromy W. Hubbard, 23, and Tren W. Dudley, 24, both of Coeur d'Alene, were arrested early Monday in Rathdrum after several alleged vehicle burglaries in different parts of the city.

"We've verified that they targeted at least a dozen cars in Rathdrum alone," said Rathdrum Police Chief Kevin Fuhr, adding that the number could increase.

Fuhr said based on credit cards and wallets that were recovered during the arrest, it appears the suspects also stole property in the Spokane area.

Rathdrum Officer Scott Kennedy was investigating the same set of bootprints in the snow that went from vehicle to vehicle in multiple neighborhoods when he received a report around 2:20 a.m. of a suspicious male looking in vehicles on Lofty Ridge Street on the south side of the city.

"(Kennedy) was only about a mile away and, when he pulled up, the suspects were already in their vehicle starting to drive away," Fuhr said. "These guys were doing this really quick. We're lucky that someone saw them in front of a house and there was an officer close by. The officer knew what had been going on. Fortunately, the suspects' boots also matched the prints in the snow."

Fuhr said about 20 to 30 pieces of stolen property were recovered, including a pistol, cellphones, credit cards, wallets and knives.

"It's easy stuff to grab and easy stuff to get rid of," Fuhr said.

The suspects entered unlocked vehicles.

"They didn't damage any of the vehicles," Fuhr said.

Hubbard faces charges of possession of stolen property, possession of a dangerous weapon and burglary. He has no previous arrest history at the local jail.

Dudley was booked for probation violation, possession of stolen property and theft. He has 10 previous arrests, including for probation violation, possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and malicious injury to property.

Fuhr said information on the case will be shared with detectives from other area law enforcement agencies today since the two are suspected of committing crimes in other areas.