A lost cell phone ultimately led to the arrest of a North Webster man accused of breaking into a Syracuse residence over the weekend and stealing prescription medications.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested Kenneth J. Keene, 51, Saturday afternoon after locating his cell phone at the scene of the crime. Prior to making the arrest, an investigation also turned up additional evidence that Keene broke into a home in the 9800 block of North Fourth of July Avenue in Syracuse over the weekend.

The homeowner who reported the break-in had been hospitalized and returned home to find his residence broken into. Officers discovered entry was made through a window that had been broken out. The homeowner reported prescription medications missing.

Deputies also found fresh tire tracks and footprints outside of the residence, along with a cell phone that was seemingly dropped by Keene as he allegedly escaped back out through the broken window.

Deputies were provided a list of possible suspects by the victim, and during the course of investigation. Keene confirmed to police he was missing his cell phone but insisted he had not left the residence for the last two days.

Other occupants of the residence, however, provided statements to the contrary, confirming that Keene had left the residence in his vehicle on Friday evening. After officers noted the similarities of Keene’s vehicle’s tire tread patterns and the shoe print design, a search warrant was acquired and executed on the residence.

During the investigation, five different prescription medication bottles were located with various pills inside. The bottles each had their respective label removed and deputies subsequently also located various pipes used for smoking marijuana and other paraphernalia.

Keene was preliminarily arrested on felony burglary, theft and criminal mischief due to the damage done to make entry into the Syracuse residence.

At the Kosciusko County Jail, it was determined Keene’s state of prescription medication intoxication was unsafe. He was transported to Kosciusko Community Hospital for treatment and later brought back to the jail.

Keene is currently being held on a prosecutorial hold by order of Kosciusko County Prosecutor Daniel Hampton.