A man who allegedly broke into a Kenai laundromat and a man facing trial for burglary and theft charges in Anchorage were charged last week with breaking into Kenai Central High School late last year.
Byron G. Gordon, 40, and Kevin W. Brower, 51, allegedly stole DeWalt power tools, welders, hand tools and an air filter bag from the metal and wood shop at the school on Dec. 28, according to a police affidavit filed with the Kenai court. Police allege Brower admitted to a stealing a welder from the school shed on a different day as well.
Police were tipped off to the two men’s alleged involvement in the Dec. 28 high school burglary after Brower was arrested for breaking into the Wash & Dry laundromat in Kenai on Jan. 22, according to court documents.
Brower and his brother, Christopher E. Brower, allegedly broke into the laundromat, tried to access the ATM, and then unsuccessfully tried to remove the whole machine. Both were arrested in the Kenai Safeway parking lot later that morning. After his release from Wildwood Pretrial facility on Jan. 23, Kevin Brower began messaging Gordon and told him to get rid of items allegedly stolen from the high school, according to court documents.
Police then searched Gordon’s residence and found a welder, DeWalt grinder, DeWalt battery, an air filter bag and other hand tools. During their search, police seized a coat and shoes Gordon allegedly wore during the Dec. 28 high school break-in.
Kevin Brower is facing one count of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony; one count of third-degree criminal mischief, a Class C felony; one count of second-degree theft, a Class C felony; one count of possession of burglary tools, a Class A misdemeanor; one count of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony; one count count of third-degree theft, a Class A misdemeanor, related to the laundromat burglary, and two counts of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony, and two counts of second-degree thefts, a Class C felony, in relation to the Dec. 28 high school break-in.
Gordon is facing charges of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony, and second-degree theft, a Class C felony, in relation to the Dec. 28 high school break-in. He is facing trial in Anchorage on charges of second-degree burglary, a Class C felony, and two counts of second-degree theft, a Class C felony, for a March 2017 case and second-degree theft, a Class C felony, and first-degree vehicle theft, a Class C felony, for an April 2017 case.
Reach Clarion reporter Erin Thompson at erin.thompson@peninsulaclarion.com.
