Foggy Window Leads To Arrest Of Smash-And-Grab Suspects

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Burglary suspects arrested this week are accused of stealing quite a variety of items - among them a military ID, a law enforcement badge and a briefcase that belongs to the deputy treasurer of California.

"Numerous stolen items belonging to several different victims," Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Jason Ramos said.

Investigators say a trio of men were on a road trip burglary spree, striking unsuspecting victims from Natomas to Elk Grove.

"From driver's license to military identification cards, credit cards," Ramos said.

Even sensitive and confidential state documents were swiped. Cops say Chief Deputy Treasurer Steve Coony's car became a random target this week in Sacramento.

While the deputy treasurer was enjoying an evening meal, investigators say that when one of the suspects used the opportunity to smash out his window.

Crooks stole Coony's briefcase with those confidential documents inside and even his own personal items, from his old Department of Justice badge to personal checks.

The deputy treasurer was one of four victims in just two days.

The three - Aleksey Tkachenko, Pavel Tkachenko and David Butayev - were allegedly roaming the Central Valley and leaving a lot smashed windows but few clues behind.

"It's easy for a number of suspects to go on quick smash-and-grabs and accumulate a reasonable amount of property in a short amount of time," Ramos said.

But investigators say the crime spree came to an end in a motel parking lot in Elk Grove when a deputy making his rounds was somehow drawn to their car.

Investigators tell CBS13 the deputy became suspicious when he noticed one of the car's windows was all fogged up and he noticed strange movement inside.

"He makes contact and finds out a couple of them have probation status," Ramos said.

That gave the deputy a right to search the car where he found stolen property of all the victims, sending the suspects to jail.