Traffic stop in Hoquiam interrupts burglary
A routine traffic stop ended in 2 teens being arrested for burglary. Officer Cody Blodgett stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 700 block of Simpson Avenue in downtown Hoquiam on Monday. While on the stop, he was contacted by a business owner nearby who said he heard footsteps from the upstairs of his building which was mostly vacant or only used for storage.
Officers responded with the assistance of HPD police service dog ‘Enno’ and handler Sgt. Jeff Salstrom. Aberdeen and a Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s deputy secured parameter around the building while Hoquiam officers searched the building room by room.
While checking the third floor, officers located a wallet with ID belonging to a 19-year old Hoquiam man.
Officers noticed a large steel gate had been pried open, allowing access into and through the adjacent building. It appeared some personal belongings stored in the second building had been rummaged through and items possibly had been taken.
An officer on the roof of the building noticed two teens walking approximately a block away and when the two males were contacted it was found that one was the 19-year old owner of the wallet found inside the building. He was arrested for burglary in the second degree. The second was a 17-year old Hoquiam boy who was arrested for minor in possession/consumption of liquor.
The 19-year old implicated an 18-year old Hoquiam man who had entered the building with him. They had apparently noticed the patrol car out front with the flashing red/ blue lights and had fled the building. This is believed to be the noise reported by the shop owner.
The items taken from the premises, including clothing, movies, comic books and magazines were recovered. The 19-year old and 18-year old suspects, both of whom had been drinking, were booked at the county jail for burglary and may also face liquor charges. The 17-year old suspect will be submitted to the juvenile prosecutor for the liquor violation.
