FORKS — A Forks man accused of burglarizing a Forks pizza shop has been released from the Clallam County jail and is next set to appear in court Thursday for a case status hearing.
The release of Tyeson Frank LaGambina, 24, on his own recognizance Friday came a week after his alleged accomplice, Sarah Ellisyn Burnside, 18, of LaPush, sent a letter to LaGambina’s defense attorney saying LaGambina was not involved in the burglary.
Burnside and LaGambina both have been charged with one count each of first-degree theft, second-degree burglary and theft of a motor vehicle in connection with allegedly breaking into Pacific Pizza at 870 S. Forks Ave., at about 3:30 a.m. June 10.
LaGambina’s jury trial is set for Aug. 26, according to documents filed in Clallam County Superior Court.
Burnside is next set to appear in court for a case status hearing Sept. 5, with a jury trial date set for Sept. 23.
Burnside was not listed on the Clallam County jail roster as of Saturday.
Pacific Pizza owner Mark Raben called 9-1-1 emergency dispatchers at about 6:30 a.m. June 10 to report that the pizza shop’s back window had been broken and the building entered.
According to Forks police accounts, a safe containing about $7,000 in cash and checks was stolen as well as a 2004 Chevrolet Malibu sedan that the business used for deliveries.
Forks police said that Burnside told Officer Todd Garcia that she and LaGambina had been involved in the burglary and that they had burned the receipts and checks found in the Pacific Pizza safe.
Burnside also allegedly told Garcia she had driven the Chevrolet Mailbu off a cliff along Sitkum-Sol Duc Road, about 2 miles east of U.S. Highway 101.
Forks Police Administrator Rick Bart later found the Malibu at the bottom of a 50-foot bluff at Sitkum-Sol Duc Road.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
