Sequim caretaker captures suspected burglars at gunpoint

Published 12:39 pm Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Sequim Gazette staff

A caretaker detained two suspected burglars on July 9 in Sequim by gunpoint.

Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King reports that deputies dispatched at 6:37 p.m. to 258663 U.S. Hwy. 101, formerly Affordable Roofing and Crane in Sequim, following a 9­1­1 call from the caretaker.

King said the caretaker discovered the persons allegedly had been entering the property’s fenced property and outbuildings to steal tools, metal and power equipment while causing estimated thousands of dollars in damage to equipment to remove copper tubing.

King reports the caretaker spotted a vehicle with two suspects, so the caretaker approached and told them to stop with the gun on the men.

A Washington State Patrol trooper was first on scene and took the two men, Kenneth Johnson, 48, of Bremerton, and Nickolas Cobb, 29, of Poulsbo, into custody.

With a search warrant, Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies found about $1,500 worth of tools from the property inside the vehicle, King reported.

Later deputies learned the men allegedly sold some of the scrap metal to a local scrap recycling company, King reports.

The case has been referred to the Clallam County Prosecutor’s Office for a formal charging decision as Sheriff’s Office detectives investigate.

For now, the two men face Burglary in the Second Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Trafficking in Stolen Property in the First Degree. Cobb also had an outstanding warrant for violating conditions of his community custody placement.