PORT TOWNSEND–One of the two charges filed against burglary suspect Andrew Gaikowski have been dropped, but it will be refiled as soon as the investigation is complete, authorities say.
Gaikowski, 19, was arrested April 1 during an alleged burglary at 794 Parkridge Drive in Port Hadlock.
After his arrest, Port Townsend police officers said they found evidence tying Gaikowski to a break-in Jan. 27 at 156 Price St., Port Townsend, one of 39 reported in the city since Dec. 1.
Gaikowski was arraigned for the Port Hadlock burglary and pleaded not guilty.
The charges were dropped for the Port Townsend burglary.
Port Townsend Police Sgt. Ed Green said his department is gathering evidence and expects detectives will be able to tie Gaikowski to several burglaries.
“There is enough to hold him on the Port Hadlock charge,” Green said.
“If we dropped the first charge, it gave us more time to complete our investigation.”
Investigation continues
Green said an investigation of local pawn shops had turned up evidence that will be used if the charges are refiled.
Green said the investigation could be completed by the end of this week.
Gaikowski, of Port Hadlock, remains in custody in the Jefferson County jail.
He is scheduled for an omnibus hearing on April 30, a pre-trial hearing on May 21 and trial June 1-2.
Gaikowski is represented by Port Townsend attorney Ben Critchlow, who said “there is no solid evidence tying him to any of the crimes.”
“The iPod that he is accused of stealing is something that he bought himself,” Critchlow said.
North Olympic Crime Stoppers pays up to $1,000 cash reward for information leading to an arrest and the filing of felony charges in connection with the burglaries.
Information can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers at a 24-hour-tips line, 800-222-8477.
To contact the Port Townsend Police Department, phone 360-385-2322.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie. bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
