QUILCENE — A cache of stolen property was discovered Tuesday morning on Tarboo Lake Road when sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of trespassing. Two persons were arrested.
It was all part of a theft ring, said Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole.
“I think they have been operating for a while around Port Townsend and Jefferson County,” Nole said.
“There’s no telling how many other thefts they would have committed if we hadn’t caught them today.”
Kristofer T. Nickerson, 32, of unincorporated Kitsap County and Ericka L. Nitz, 25, of Bainbridge Island remained in custody in the Jefferson County jail in Port Hadlock on Tuesday afternoon.
Nickerson was taken into custody for investigation of resisting arrest, theft of a motor vehicle, criminal impersonation, criminal trespassing and a probation/supervision violation, Nole said.
Nitz was arrested for investigation of possessing a controlled substance and vehicle theft.
No bail had been sent as of Tuesday afternoon.
Nole said the charges will be amended as the recovered material is cataloged, which includes two motor vehicles along with several iPads, iPods and cellphones.
Tarboo Lake Road
The two were found on a spur off Tarboo Lake Road after security guards employed by Pacific Mountain Products, which leases the land from Pope Resources, reported an illegal encampment.
When deputies arrived, Nickerson began running and was captured in a chase while Nitz was taken into custody without incident, Nole said.
On site was a trailer that was reported stolen from an recreational-vehicle lot in Silverdale and a Toyota Tacoma truck that was stolen from Port Orchard, deputies said.
A third vehicle, a Honda, was not stolen, deputies said, but they added that they suspected it was involved in the Friday theft from the Port Townsend Safeway of a maroon Mazda Protege, which is still missing.
Nole said the Honda has been identified from a security video as having been near the car that was stolen after its keys were left in it.
The owners of some of the stolen electronic items already have been identified, Nole said.
He declined to offer details on what other material was recovered.
Nole said deputies suspect that the couple were involved in a theft reported Monday when a hunter returned to his truck in a nearby campground to find broken windows and a missing generator.
________
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
