Residents thwart attempted burglary

Published 5:11 pm Wednesday, March 19, 2014

by Sequim Gazette staff

An alleged attempted home burglary was thwarted by residents in Dungeness on April 4.

Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies Bobby Cannon, Ken Oien and Tom Doane responded to the report of an attempted residential burglary in the Mains Farm and Marine Drive area at about 12:20 a.m. Monday morning.

Residents of the house said they caught the suspect, Joseph W. Vuckel, 28, of Sequim, trying to pry open the back door of the house.

Vuckel fled on a bicycle, leading a large white dog. Cannon found the bicycle on the roadway nearby with some possibly stolen items.

As deputies searched the area, they heard a dog whimpering and found Vuckel hiding near the bicycle below the cliff edge and in brush. The dog, which was with Vuckel when it whimpered, belonged to Vuckel’s girlfriend’s daughter, deputies said.

Vuckel surrendered to the deputies and was transported to the Clallam County jail on suspicion of attempted residential burglary.

Oien said the investigation continues in regard to the possibility of other thefts, burglaries and prowling incidents in the area. Some of the items recovered were a nearly full gallon of Dungeness Valley Creamery raw milk, a small two-way radio, loose change and an area business checkbook, he said.

It is not believed at this time that these cases are related to the burglaries that have occurred recently in Port Angeles

The Sheriff’s Office would like to hear from anyone who resides in the area and might be missing any items. Deputies also would like to remind people to keep all doors locked even when they are at home.