3 Taken Into Custody After Attempted Break-In at Idaho Home

I want to start by giving you a clear picture of what actually happened, because if you’re following crime updates in Idaho—or you live anywhere near Star—you probably want the facts without any confusion.

On February 8, around three in the afternoon, police in Star rushed to a home near West Shortcreek Drive and North Desert Lily Drive after someone reported a burglary in progress. You can imagine the tension in a moment like that—officers don’t know who’s inside, what they’re doing, or whether anyone’s in danger. When they got there, they found three people trying to walk out of the house. No explanation, no permission to be in the home, and no attempt to hide what they were doing.

All three were detained on the spot.

As someone who spends a lot of time studying patterns in local crime reports, I can tell you this: it’s not often you see a burglary case unfold this quickly and this cleanly. Most break-ins involve either a late report or suspects slipping away before deputies arrive. Here, timing and response made the difference.

And if you’re reading this because you’re concerned about crime in your area, or you’re just trying to understand how these cases unfold in Idaho, you’re in the right place—I’ll break things down in a way that actually helps you see the full picture.

Before I move on, let me ask you: How safe do you feel in your neighborhood right now?

What Happened in Star, Idaho — A Clear Breakdown of the Incident

When I first read the incident report from IdahoNews, one thing stood out immediately: the speed and clarity of the police response. According to their coverage, the call came in just after 3 p.m., and officers were already familiar with the home because of recent police activity in that same area. That detail alone tells you there was already some tension around this property.

If you picture the setting—a quiet pocket of Star near West Shortcreek Drive and North Desert Lily Drive—you can understand why any unusual activity would raise alarms. It’s the kind of neighborhood where people notice when something feels off.

Police got there quickly. And when they arrived, they didn’t walk into confusion or mystery—they walked right into three individuals trying to exit the home. No story. No permission. No valid reason to be inside. It’s one of those scenes that tells you everything before anyone even speaks.

And as someone who’s followed burglary cases for years, I can say this: most investigations start with missing pieces. This one starts with suspects literally walking out of the frame.

Deputies Arrive to Find 3 Individuals Trying to Leave the Residence

If you’ve ever wondered how quickly things can shift in a burglary case, this moment is your answer. Deputies surrounded the home and immediately detained the three people stepping out. There was no chase, no dramatic standoff—just sharp police work and timing.

Here’s the part that matters most to you and me: investigators confirmed later that none of them had permission to be inside the home. No rental agreement. No homeowner approval. Not even a flimsy excuse that could hold up for two minutes.

What makes this case different from the usual pattern is how direct it was. Many burglary cases involve forced entry, damaged doors, or evidence left behind. Here, the suspects were caught mid-exit, which is about as solid as evidence gets.

The moment deputies secured the scene, the focus shifted to identifying who these people were and why they were there at all.

Who the Suspects Are — Names, Ages, and Charges

Now, this is where the story becomes clearer—and heavier.

The three people detained were:

• Ronald Brakke, 42
• Shawn Harvey, 43
• Stephanie Collins, 44

All of them were booked into the Ada County Jail on felony burglary and criminal conspiracy charges. Those aren’t small accusations. Burglary alone carries real weight in Idaho, but conspiracy tells you authorities believe this wasn’t simply a random moment of poor judgment.

When I read their ages, something struck me. These aren’t teenagers or impulsive first-timers. These are adults in their 40s. That often means the backstory is deeper, the decisions more deliberate.

If you’re someone who pays close attention to crime patterns, that detail matters. It tells you this wasn’t just a basic “wrong place, wrong time” situation. It was a coordinated act.

Why This Home Was Already on Police Radar?

This is the part most people miss when they read quick news updates.

The residence had recent police activity before this incident. That’s a clue—maybe not one we can fully unpack without official records, but it’s enough to understand why the response was fast and assertive.

When a property repeatedly comes up on a police log, officers tend to approach it with heightened awareness. It also means local neighbors probably weren’t surprised when they saw cruisers lined up on the street again.

I’ve covered enough of these stories to know that homes with prior incidents often become targets. Sometimes it’s because the house is vacant at times. Sometimes it’s due to people coming and going. Sometimes it’s just a reputation that turns into an opportunity for the wrong crowd.

Whatever the reason, it played a role here. Police didn’t walk in blind—they walked in prepared.

How Idaho Police Handle Burglary-in-Progress Calls

If you’re like me, you want to understand how these responses actually work—not just the outcome. In Idaho, burglary-in-progress calls are treated as high-priority because everything unfolds fast. Someone can enter, grab what they want, and disappear in minutes.

Here’s what typically happens, and you’ll see the pattern in this case too:

• Officers rush to the location with the goal of arriving before suspects flee.
• A perimeter is set up so anyone exiting is seen immediately.
• Backup agencies are called in if multiple exits or hiding spots exist.
• Deputies confront anyone leaving the property—no assumptions, no risks.

You saw all of this play out in Star. Multiple agencies stepped in: Eagle PD, Boise PD, Meridian PD. That’s not overkill—that’s coordination. When you have three adults moving in and out of a structure, you need enough officers to cover every angle.

And for you as a reader, here’s the real takeaway: when a community reports unusual activity quickly, the odds of catching suspects rise dramatically. This case is proof of that.

I’ve seen this pattern in other states too — like a Florida case where burglars hit multiple homes and walked away with over $137,000 in stolen property, leading to several arrests.

Idaho Home Burglary Trends — What the Numbers Really Tell You

When you read a story like this, it’s natural to wonder whether burglary is actually rising or if this is just a one-off headline. I’ve spent years digging through state crime data, and here’s what I can tell you: burglary in Idaho isn’t the everyday crisis some people imagine, but it also isn’t rare enough to ignore.

Most burglaries happen in homes that look empty, vulnerable, or familiar to the people breaking in. And in places like Ada County, where neighborhoods grow fast and new people move in constantly, criminals often test boundaries to see which homes look unsupervised.

What makes the Star case stand out is how quickly things escalated and how fast the suspects were caught. When you place that next to burglary stats—which often show delayed discovery, missing property, and no suspects—you start to see how unusual this moment was.

The bigger picture?

If you live in Idaho, burglary isn’t something to panic over, but it is something you should stay aware of. Most victims say the same thing afterward: “I never thought it would happen here.”

By the way, if you like getting quick crime alerts without scrolling through social feeds, I’ve found WhatsApp channels surprisingly useful — they deliver updates instantly and without noise. Joining one helps you stay informed in real time.

What These Charges Actually Mean — Burglary and Criminal Conspiracy in Idaho

I want to break this down in a way that helps you understand the gravity of the situation without drowning you in legal jargon.

Burglary in Idaho isn’t just “breaking into a house.” It’s entering a place—home, garage, shed, car—with the intent to commit a theft or felony inside. The law cares more about intent than whether something was actually stolen.

Criminal conspiracy means two or more people agreed to commit a crime and took steps to make it happen.

You don’t have to finish the crime. You don’t even have to be inside the house. If you planned it and helped in some way, you’re included.

That’s why these charges matter: They tell you authorities believe this wasn’t three random people walking into a house. It was coordinated.

If you’re trying to understand the seriousness, felony burglary can lead to years in state prison. Conspiracy adds more weight, because it shows planning, not impulse.

This isn’t something the courts treat lightly.

And if you look beyond Idaho, some criminals are becoming more calculated — similar to the Los Feliz case where thieves specifically targeted a 101-year-old man’s home.

How You Can Protect Your Home — Simple Steps That Actually Work

Whenever a burglary case hits the news, people jump to buy the newest gadget or alarm system. But after seeing hundreds of these cases play out, here’s what I’ve learned: most burglars don’t pick houses based on advanced technology. They look for opportunity.

Here are the steps that matter most:

1. Visibility and lighting. Burglars avoid houses where they can be seen. Motion lights and trimmed bushes matter more than most people think.

2. Consistency. If you leave for work at the same time every day and your house looks empty for hours, someone notices. Small habits—like timed lights—make a difference.

3. Cameras and doorbells. Not because they scare burglars, but because they help catch them. And that alone changes behavior in a neighborhood.

4. Community awareness. The truth is, you’re safer when neighbors are paying attention. Fast reporting is the only reason the Star incident didn’t turn into a bigger problem.

If you take anything from this story, let it be this: You don’t need a fortress. You just need to make your home harder to approach than the next one.

We’ve actually seen how planned burglaries can escalate fast, like the California teen suspects tied to a $66 million crypto-related home invasion.

What Happens Next in This Case

Once suspects are booked into the Ada County Jail, the process moves quickly:

• They face a first appearance before a judge.
• Charges are formally reviewed.
• Bail is set (unless prosecutors push for hold orders).
• A preliminary hearing decides if the case continues toward trial.

Since burglary and conspiracy are felonies, this case won’t be over in days. It’ll move through a structured, deliberate process—one that looks closely at intent, evidence, and the role of each suspect.

For now, the key thing for you to know is this: The case doesn’t end with an arrest. It’s just the opening chapter.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on official reports available at the time of writing. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. Details may be updated as authorities release new information.