Snow Footprints Lead Police to Robbers

State police say footprints in the snow led them to two men suspected of stealing cartons of cigarettes from at least three businesses.

Thirty-seven-year-old Brian Matthews and 22-year-old Marquise Thomas were arrested early Friday morning following a burglary at a Shell gas station in New Castle. Police believe the men broke the glass of the front door and stole several cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

Troopers followed footprints in the snow to a home nearby where the men were interviewed and arrested.

Police say Matthews and Thomas have been linked to four similar burglaries _ including two others at the same gas station _ that occurred over the past two weeks. Police say the stolen tobacco products are valued at $14,000.