A drink of juice at Jean's Deli costs much more if the Second Avenue restaurant is closed.

Sequim police apprehended Steven Rogers after the 49-year-old reportedly broke into Jean's Deli for a drink of juice on March 23.

According to police documents, Officer John Southard responded to a 9-1-1 call from store owner Barbara Lippert after she found Rogers exiting the deli's bathroom at about 5:50 a.m. last Monday.

Lippert said she did not give Rogers permission to be inside the deli, at 134 S. Second Ave.

Rogers, referred to as a transient in police documents, was taken into custody. He later admitted to consuming a juice without paying for it after unlawfully entering the closed deli.

He was charged with second-degree burglary and transported to the Clallam County Correctional Facility.

Inside the deli, officers found no significant damage. They did find smoking tobacco, cigarette butts, change and a piece of candy on the floor as well as an empty juice container.

"Through 9-1-1, Lippert was able to get help quickly, and Officer Southard's fast response helped lead to Rogers' arrest," said Sequim Police Chief Bob Spinks.

"Rogers was not inside the business to necessarily ransack or cause damage," Spinks said. "He is a transient that was looking for a warm place to sleep, and this is a warning to our community to be aware of vulnerabilities to this type of crime."

Police officials urge locals who own a vacant property or a business that closes during the night to evaluate locks and overall security of those buildings.



Protecting

your business

The Sequim Police Department has two programs to help prevent business crime:

_ Business Trespass Program - This program allows the Sequim Police Department to act on your behalf after hours to enforce trespass laws.

_ Business/Home Security Survey - The department sends officers to your business and does a walk through to help you evaluate your security and suggest improvements.

More information: Call Maris Turner, crime prevention officer, at 683-7227