SEQUIM — Police have arrested a man for investigation of residential burglary and theft in the second degree after a neighbor saw someone he didn’t know enter a nearby residence and called officers.
Andrew A. Getzschmann, 43, hometown unknown, was arrested for investigation of the two felonies Thursday after Sequim police were called to a home in the 700 block of East Fir Street at 12:21 p.m.
He was released on his own recognizance after a preliminary appearance in Clallam County Superior Court on Friday.
His next court date is at 9 a.m. this Friday.
Getzschmann matched the description provided by the neighbor, police said.
Vigilance “is key, and that is certainly reflected in the fact that a vigilant neighbor actually spotted this and called it in,” said Deputy Police Chief Sheri Crain.
“Vigilant neighbors are very handy.”
Uptick in burglaries
Getzschmann’s arrest came amid an uptick in Sequim burglaries recorded over the past two months, Crain said.
“The numbers are a little bit higher than this time last year,” she said.
From Aug. 1 to Sept. 24, 2014, Sequim had 13 burglaries, while that same period this year saw 16, Crain said.
However, “crime statistics ebb and flow, so we don’t necessarily pay a lot of attention to our statistics but . . . look for patterns within those statistics,” she said.
“We are constantly looking at our trends.”
Police have noted similarities in several of the burglaries, according to Detective Sgt. Sean Madison.
They occur in daytime, and entry is made through an unlocked door or window after a knock on the door to see if anyone is home.
Items stolen often have been small electronics, concealable firearms, jewelry, rare coins and cash, police said.
Police believe these items are being selected because they can be concealed easily.
Police are searching for connections between Thursday’s burglary and others that have happened recently in the area, Crain said.
“We will certainly be pursuing any investigative leads,” she said.
Police encourage residents to remain vigilant and contact police in instances when they see suspicious activity.
They also advise people to take measures to discourage burglaries, such as keeping valuable items secured and out of sight.
“The simplest one is to at least lock your doors,” Crain said.
“Clearly, if someone wants to break into a window or kick a door open, they are probably going to find a way to get in, but typically, that causes issues for the individual doing it.
“They are going to leave some sort of evidence behind if they have to work that hard.”
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
