PORT ANGELES — A spate of summer burglaries of homes and businesses appears to have been contained to Port Angeles, with no spike reported in the outlying county or Sequim.
That’s according to Clallam County Undersheriff Ron Peregrin and Sequim interim Police Chief Sheri Crain, although Sequim has bedeviled with vehicle burglaries.
Acting Forks Police Chief Lloyd Lee couldn’t be reached for comment late Thursday afternoon.
The good news is that the frequency of burglaries in Port Angeles seems to have fallen off.
After averaging nearly one burglary report daily for much of the past two-and-a-half months, reports have “decreased significantly” recently, said Sgt. Barb McFall.
But that doesn’t mean burglars aren’t still active.
McFall said Thursday morning that Port Angeles police had received three burglary reports since last Friday.
An story on Page A1 Thursday in the Clallam County edition erroneously said there had been no new reports in the last week.
About 65 residential and commercial burglaries have occurred in Port Angeles since June 1.
Many have been of homes, conducted through unlocked doors and windows while occupants were sleeping, police have said.
McFall said the recent decrease in break-ins could be attributed to the recent arrests of three men for investigation of burglary.
The men arrested for investigation of burglaries were Paul A. McDonald, Andrew L. Mahlum, and Jonathan W. Grantham.
McDonald, 28, remained in custody at the Clallam County jail Thursday.
Mahlum, 27, who was arrested Sunday, is scheduled to be arraigned today on charges of residential burglary, third-degree trafficking stolen items and third-degree theft.
He has been released from custody on a $5,000 bail.
Grantham, 28, who was arrested last month, will be tried Sept. 27 on charges of residential burglary, first-degree theft, first-degree possession of stolen property, and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
He remained in custody Thursday.
McFall said that police will have to “wait and see” if the trend of declining reports of break-ins continues.
Police are still urging people to be vigilant and lock their doors, windows and vehicles.
McFall said people who have information on a burglary, or are victims themselves, should contact the police.
“That’s what we’re here for,” she said.
The non-emergency phone numbers for local authorities are: Port Angeles police, 360-452-4545; Sequim police, 360-683-7227; Sheriff’s Office, 360-417-2000; Forks police, 360-374-2223.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
