Bend police followed footprints in the snow and arrested a man hiding in the backyard of a southwest Bend residence Saturday morning when they responded to reports of over 20 attempts to break into cars in the River Rim neighborhood.

Shortly before 5:30 a.m. January 6, police were told that a man was walking around the subdivision off Brookswood Blvd and entering vehicles.  They followed tracks in the snow to several vehicles parked in driveways and on the street, where police believe the subject was searching for unlocked autos.

Russell LeRoy Williams, DCJ Photo

Russell LeRoy Williams, 28, was taken into custody without incident after he was found hiding in the backyard of a home on Sager Loop, said Lt. Gary Mack.  He allegedly had in his possession several items that were stolen from some of the vehicles.

Williams was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail and faces 21 counts of vehicle trespass, four counts of unlawful entry into a motor vehicle, two counts of second-degree theft, and a single count of third-degree theft.  His bail was set at $68,000, said the lieutenant.