CoreyMertzValley City (CSi) Valley City Police report, a 37-year-old Valley City man was arrested Friday for allegedly breaking into a woman’s home multiple times and purportedly taking razors and personal intimate clothing.

The victim says she believed her house was being broken into July 29th, noting that over the previous two months items had been going missing from her home, not able to explain why the items were missing and became concerned.

Prior to leaving the area for a vacation, she secured her garage door with a board and screws — and upon returning she discovered the door had been forced.

She then set up a trail camera, and on August 7th , the camera showed an image of a heavy-set white man attempting to open the garage door.

Showing the images to police, and who she believed the individual was, the police investigation, including additional leads, led the police to identify 37 year old Corey Mertz, of Valley City.

Police executed a search warrant for Mertz’s residence, and found several items reported missing and numerous other pieces of feminine clothing that were identified as belonging to the victim. Police also confiscated computers and electronic storage devices, whose content will be analyzed.

While the search warrant was being served, and under police surveillance, Mertz was stopped by police while driving, and later taken into custody.

Mertz is charged with two counts of burglary, a C felony, and one count of stalking, a misdemeanor. Additional charges are pending

The investigation is continuing, and anyone with additional information is asked to call the VCPD at (701) 845-3110.