Tracks in Fresh Snow Lead Police to Burglary Suspect

"Cover your tracks" takes on new meaning for a Sturtevant man suspected of breaking into a Racine tavern while he was on out on bond on similar charges.

According to a written release from the Racine Police Department, officers were called to Joey's on Taylor, 1863 Taylor Avenue, at about 3:30 a.m. Monday for a commercial burglary in progress. When they arrived, witnesses said they'd seen a man exit the back door and take off on foot.

Police examined the scene and say they found pry marks at the back door and a set of footprints in the snow leading away from the bar. Officers were able to track the prints north on Taylor to an area near the baseball diamond at Washington Park High School.

Kyle Kraft, 40, was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Racine County Jail where he is being held on pending charges of burglary with the intent to commit a felony and felony criminal trespass.

Kraft could also face two counts of felony bail jumping because he was out of jail on bond for allegedly sneaking into the basement of the Hiawatha Bar & Grill in Sturtevant last month.

During that incident, Kraft allegedly was found in the basement after closing and when confronted by a witness, tried to fight his way out. Once Sturtevant Police arrived, he tried again to hide in the basement, but eventually surrendered once police had all the exits blocked.

At the time, a man who was closing the bar told officers Kraft is a family member and they believe he might be responsible for a rash of burglaries at the bar.