PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man who pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen car after police said he led them on a car chase will serve two years of community custody.
Joseph Gregory Gaikowski, 27, was sentenced Thursday to 24 months of community custody, in which he’ll live in a private residence and have to regularly report to a state Department of Corrections officer.
He pleaded guilty May 28 to one count each of possession of a stolen vehicle and possession of morphine.
Gaikowski also must remain in a residential chemical-dependency-treatment program for 90 to 180 days, according to documents filed in Clallam County Superior Court, and must pay $3,300 in fines, court costs and fees.
Gaikowski and 25-year-old Port Angeles resident Sean Earl Gormley both were arrested in the early morning of March 26 in the woods of the Deer Park area of Olympic National Park after police said the two were involved in a high-speed pursuit with a State Patrol officer.
The two were found with the help of Port Angeles Police Officer Lucas DeGand and canine partner Bogey, and Port Angeles Police Cpl. Kevin Miller and police dog Jag.
Gormley was arrested for investigation of one count each of possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a police vehicle, but he was not charged with either.
Jesse Espinoza, Clallam County deputy prosecuting attorney, said he did not have enough evidence to connect Gormley to the stolen green Ford F-150 the pair were thought to have been in but which later was found abandoned.
Gaikowski has a criminal history of theft and burglary in Jefferson County, according to court records.
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Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.
