PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Office was not ready at a hearing this week to charge a Neah Bay man who had been arrested Sunday in the burglary of a Clallam Bay liquor store.
But Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly said Thursday that “absolutely” charges could be filed after her office receives a full report from the county Sheriff’s Office.
Joshua J. Swan, 19, was arrested for investigation of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft and third-degree malicious mischief after a window was broken at the Clallam Bay Liquor Store, 16713 state Highway 112, and seven bottles of tequila were taken.
Charges must be filed within 72 hours of an arrest.
Swan was expected to be charged at a hearing in Clallam County Superior Court on Wednesday but was not, at the request of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
“We wanted the complete report before we actually charge,” said Kelly on Thursday.
“We’re waiting for additional information.”
Confessed to deputy
After his arrest, Swan told Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputy Shane Martin that he and three other men wanted some alcohol and decided to break into the liquor store because the bar at Clallam Bay Inn was closed, according to court documents.
Swan told Martin that another man broke the window, and he and a third man retrieved the bottles, the documents said.
Clallam County Superior Court Judge Ken Williams on Wednesday signed an order exonerating Swan of his conditions of his release.
Those conditions, set during his first court appearance Monday, were he could travel only in Western Washington, and he was not allowed to enter the liquor store.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
The burglary was discovered Saturday morning when an employee found the front window had been smashed out and a rock was inside the store.
Store owner Tammy Hull contacted the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. Martin and Neah Bay Police Officer Brandon Smith arrested Swan at his residence without incident.
Martin tied Swan to the crime through second- and third-hand information he gleaned about the case.
Charging documents show that seven bottles of Pancho Villa and Jose Cuervo tequila — worth a combined $133.60 — were taken from the liquor store between 2 a.m. and 11 a.m. Saturday.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
