EDITOR’S NOTE — The following corrects an earlier article that said burglary reports in Port Angeles had dropped to zero in the past week. Port Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith had said Wednesday that he “wasn’t aware” of any new reports since Friday. He didn’t say that there had been no more reports.
PORT ANGELES — Only three home burglaries have been reported in Port Angeles since last Friday, said Police Sgt. Barb McFall on Thursday.
That’s a drop in the frequency, say police, after home burglary reports had averaged nearly one a day over the past 2 1/2 months.
McFall said reports have “slowed considerably” following the arrests of three men for investigation of burglary.
Port Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said Wednesday that through the arrests “hopefully we put pressure on these folks and disrupted them.”
Police had received about 65 burglary reports since June 1.
In many cases, burglars entered through unlocked doors or windows during early morning hours.
The men arrested for investigation of burglaries are Paul A. McDonald, Andrew L. Mahlum, and Jonathan W. Grantham.
Smith said each of the men targeted easily-to-grab items from living rooms, but police don’t have evidence that they were working together.
McDonald, who was arrested last week after showing up to the Port Angeles police station after a woman accused him of burglarizing her home, was arrested for a second time Wednesday.
The 28-year-old homeless man, who is also a registered sex offender, was released from Clallam County jail last week since formal charges had not been filed within 72 hours.
Smith said police arrested him again Wednesday for investigation of a burglary at a home on the end side of Port Angeles last week.
The second burglary occurred after he was released from jail.
Clallam County Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly said in an e-mail Wednesday that charges weren’t filed last week because her office needed more information on the value of stolen property and other details in the police probable cause statement.
Charges have not been filed against McDonald, who remained in custody Wednesday.
Mahlum, who was arrested Sunday, will be arraigned Friday 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, 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 jail Wednesday on a $5,000 bail.
Smith said police are working to catch other people suspected of recent burglaries.
Police are urging people to lock their doors and secure their windows to prevent burglaries.
Burglaries should be reported by phoning 360-452-4545. Those who spot trespassers are break-ins 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.
