Newspaper carrier accused of burglarizing homes

SIOUX FALLS (AP) — A newspaper carrier is accused of burglarizing Sioux Falls homes after learning that the homeowners had suspended their newspaper subscriptions over the holidays.

The media reports that 29-year-old Patrick Michael VanWagner is charged in connection with the break-in of a home on West Bristol Drive, where $2,300 in jewelry and rare coins was stolen.

But Police Spokesman Sam Clemens says VanWagner could be connected with as many as nine more burglaries.

Clemens says VanWagner targeted homeowners who had alerted the Argus Leader that they'd be out of town and wanted their newspapers held so they wouldn't have tell-tale mounds left on their doorsteps alerting would-be burglars that they weren't home.

Officials say the attempt to keep their homes safe backfired.

It wasn't immediately clear if VanWagner has an attorney.

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