Sequim teens arrested in late-night burglaries
Published on Mon, Jun 28, 2010 by AMANDA WINTERSRead More News
Two Sequim teenagers were arrested Monday, June 21, on suspicion of breaking into the American Legion and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church over the weekend.
Sequim Police Officer Maris Turner said the burglaries happened overnight between June 18-19. An officer responded to the American Legion about 1 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, and found a broken window, she said. Officers determined $24 and beer were taken from the building, she said.
About 9:30 a.m. June 19, an officer responded to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where another window had been broken and $75 was stolen, she said.
Excellent surveillance footage at the site showed a suspect breaking the church window and entering the church through it, she said. Indoor surveillance video provided clear descriptions of the suspects and their clothing, she said.
“We had some good forensic evidence but that takes a while to process,” Turner said. “With the video we were able to identify them much quicker.”
Kevin Brown and Dillon Lukes, both 18, were arrested on suspicion of burglary in the second degree and theft in the third degree. They were booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility and the charges were referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office.
Second-degree burglary is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines according to Washington state law. The criminal code classifies third-degree theft as a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Clallam County Prosecutor Deb Kelly said her office is waiting for the physical evidence found at the scene to be tested before they press charges.
“There’s a difference between enough (evidence) to arrest and enough (evidence) to prove without a reasonable doubt,” she said.
Because the pieces of evidence often are tested at different labs, there is no time line for completion, she said.
“A burglary probably isn’t going to be handled as quickly as if we were dealing with a rape or murder,” she said.
Amanda Winters can be reached at awinters@sequimgazette.com.
Sequim Police Officer Maris Turner said the burglaries happened overnight between June 18-19. An officer responded to the American Legion about 1 a.m. on Saturday, June 19, and found a broken window, she said. Officers determined $24 and beer were taken from the building, she said.
About 9:30 a.m. June 19, an officer responded to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church where another window had been broken and $75 was stolen, she said.
Excellent surveillance footage at the site showed a suspect breaking the church window and entering the church through it, she said. Indoor surveillance video provided clear descriptions of the suspects and their clothing, she said.
“We had some good forensic evidence but that takes a while to process,” Turner said. “With the video we were able to identify them much quicker.”
Kevin Brown and Dillon Lukes, both 18, were arrested on suspicion of burglary in the second degree and theft in the third degree. They were booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility and the charges were referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office.
Second-degree burglary is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 in fines according to Washington state law. The criminal code classifies third-degree theft as a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines.
Clallam County Prosecutor Deb Kelly said her office is waiting for the physical evidence found at the scene to be tested before they press charges.
“There’s a difference between enough (evidence) to arrest and enough (evidence) to prove without a reasonable doubt,” she said.
Because the pieces of evidence often are tested at different labs, there is no time line for completion, she said.
“A burglary probably isn’t going to be handled as quickly as if we were dealing with a rape or murder,” she said.
Amanda Winters can be reached at awinters@sequimgazette.com.
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Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Phone 360-683-3311, or toll free at 800-829-5810. FAX 360-683-6670.
For a complete company directory with contact information please click HERE.
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