Footprints lead Johnson County deputies to car burglary suspect

Surveillance tapes and footprints led Johnson County Sheriff's deputies to arrest a Cedar Rapids man on charges that he burglarized 14 vehicles in Swisher and Shueyville over the Christmas weekend.

Tilman Flowers, 23, of 3917 21st Ave. Place SW, Apt. 2, was charged Thursday with 14 counts of third-degree burglary. He's accused of breaking into the vehicles Dec. 25 and 26.

While investigating the crimes, deputies photographed footprint around the vehicles. Video surveillance tapes showed Flowers pawning items reported stolen from the vehicles, Johnson County reported.

Deputies searched Flowers' home and found several items that had been reported stolen, the county reported. At the time of Flowers' arrest, he was wearing boots that matched the footprints found at the burglary scenes.

Flowers admitted to deputies that he did break into the vehicles, the county said.