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updated 6:09 p.m. ET Nov. 3, 2005

BILLINGS, Mont. - Montana police say an attempt by a burglar to cover his tracks ended in his death.

Police in Billings say a man who was found dead in a house last week had died of smoke inhalation, apparently after setting a pair of fires to conceal his crime.

Authorities say he had coins belonging to the homeowner in his pockets when emergency crews pulled his body from the burning house.

Police also found two bags of household items in the alley, suggesting he had stashed some of the stolen goods before returning to light the fires.