A contractor working on a housing development in the Bridgewater Estates subdivision near Ammon and Lincoln Rd. discovered an enclosed trailer with more than $60,000 in tools missing from the job site. Photo: Stock

IDAHO FALLS, Ida. — On December 2, 2020, detectives with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho Falls Police Department were able to locate and arrest three suspects in the Thanksgiving Weekend theft of construction tools from a job site in the Bridgewater Subdivision.

Since the initial report, deputies discovered additional surveillance video indicating at least three suspects being involved. Through investigation and a number of tips from the public, detectives located 41-year-old Carl James Eckenrode Jr., 33-year-old Joseph M. R. Herrera, and 27-year-old Lisa D. Ritchie of Idaho Falls and observed them moving items from a residence on Hollipark Dr. to a vehicle belonging to Ms. Ritchie that appeared to match the description of items taken in the theft.

Authorities observed the thieves moving items from a residence on Hollipark Dr. to a vehicle belonging to Ms. Ritchie that appeared to match the description of items taken in the theft. Photo: BCSO

Deputies made a traffic stop on the vehicle near Anderson and Boulevard locating Mr. Eckenrode and Mr. Herrera inside. At that time deputies observed multiple items in the vehicle matching stolen items from the job site in question. Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the Hollipark residence and detained Ms. Ritchie at that location.

During the search detectives located more items from the theft in rooms identified by Ritchie as being occupied by Eckenrode. Through investigation Deputies also located a pickup belonging to Eckenrode parked on Ashment that matches surveillance pictures taken when the theft occurred.

All three were placed under arrest and transported to the Bonneville County Jail where they were booked for Grand Theft. During the booking process at the jail, Eckenrode was found to be in possession of just under two grams of methamphetamine and was also booked for felony charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance and Introducing Contraband into a Correctional Facility.

Deputies are continuing to investigate this case and no further information is available at this time. The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the public for tips and information that contributed to the recovery of this property and the apprehension of the suspects.

Jacob Gore was born and raised in Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. As a proud Wyomingite, he loves to share his home with visitors from around the world. Spending years in Jackson and Alaska as an interpretive nature guide, he remains a photographer, traveler, storyteller, and avid hobbyist of all-things outdoors. Jacob enjoys bridging the connection between Jackson and the rest of the state.