PORT ANGELES — Police are investigating five more home burglaries that occurred earlier this week, adding to the summer’s un-usually high number of break-ins.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said Tuesday that the new burglaries, spread all over town, occurred late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
They bring the total number of burglaries since June 1 to 59.
At least one occurred at a residence while its occupants were sleeping, Smith said.
A car was also broken into late Sunday or early Monday.
Stolen items from that incident and the burglaries include wallets, laptop computers, cameras and other easily removed items, Smith said.
He said police continue to chase leads, but other than the Sunday arrest of a man with stolen handguns, no one has recently been apprehended.
“We don’t think this is all one person,” Smith added.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office arrested Clinton Laverne King on Sunday on investigation of attempting to elude a police officer, armed with a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, possession of methamphetamine, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, alteration of identifying marks, and driving with a suspended license.
Official charges have not been filed against King, 30, of Port Angeles, who allegedly led a deputy on a chase last Thursday.
The chase began when the deputy spotted King driving an all-terrain vehicle on U.S. Highway 101 in east Port Angeles.
It ended on Ennis Creek Road when Clinton allegedly dumped the vehicle and bags containing methamphetamine, two pistols and a rifle magazine.
Authorities believe the guns and ammo were stolen, but Clinton has not been tied to any specific burglary.
Many of the recent burglaries occurred at homes with unlocked doors and windows.
Police are encouraging residents to keep their windows secure and doors locked.
Anyone who has information on the burglaries should call Port Angeles police at 360-452-4545.
Those who spot trespassers are urged to phone 9-1-1.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
