Early-morning burglar evades capture

Published 4:35 pm Monday, June 3, 2024

KLIPSAN BEACH — A brazen burglar has been making rounds through the south county region, including a rustling through the Long Beach Peninsula Trading Post on May 29. The same suspect is believed to be connected to another burglary in Naselle.

The Pacific County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation into both incidents. Images of a suspect were posted to Facebook on May 29, captured by a surveillance camera and a witness.

The suspect is believed to be in his late 30s to early 40s and driving a late 90s to early 2000s gray Ford Ranger with or without a ladder rack.

According to public records, the Pacific County 911 Dispatch Center (PacCom) received a call from an alarm company at 5:22 a.m. on May 29. The company reported that a commercial burglar alarm had tripped and that “the responsible [party] wanted law dispatched.”

Five minutes later, at 5:27 a.m., a resident in the area called 911 and reported that they could hear the alarm from “two blocks away” and believed it was at the antique shop. PacCom reportedly called the responsible sheriff’s office supervisor to respond.

According to court records, Sgt. Nick Zimmerman answered his phone and told dispatch to “hold for first out.” No deputies were on duty at either end of the county at the time of the incident, and the first usually goes to work at 6 a.m.

At 5:55 a.m. the antique shop owner arrived on the scene and reported to dispatch that “someone did break in and stole jewelry” and was advised that a deputy was notified of the incident.

Deputy Cosmo Cozby arrived on the scene at 6:05 a.m. and cleared the scene at 7:23 a.m.

Detective Kevin Acdal is the lead investigator on the case and anyone with information is encouraged to reach out to him at 360-642-9300 ext. 2847 or kacdal@co.pacific.wa.us.