QUILCENE — A cache of property reported stolen in Kitsap County was discovered early Sept. 30 on Tarboo Lake Road when sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of trespassing.

The operation was characterized by Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole as a theft ring.

“I think they have been operating for a while around Port Townsend and Jefferson County,” Nole said. “There’s no telling how many other thefts they would have committed if we hadn’t caught them today.”

Kristofer T. Nickerson, 32, of unincorporated Kitsap County, and Ericka L. Nitz, 25, of Bainbridge Island remained in custody in the Jefferson County jail in Port Hadlock the afternoon of Sept. 30. No bail had been set.

Nickerson was taken into custody for investigation of resisting arrest, theft of a motor vehicle, criminal impersonation, criminal trespassing and a probation/supervision violation, Nole said.

Nitz was arrested for investigation of possessing a controlled substance and vehicle theft.

Nole said the charges will be amended as the recovered material is cataloged, which includes two motor vehicles and several iPads, iPods and cellphones.

Tarboo Lake Road

The two were found on a spur off Tarboo Lake Road after security guards employed by Pacific Mountain Products, which leases the land from Pope Resources, reported an illegal encampment.

When deputies arrived, Nickerson began running and was captured in a chase while Nitz was taken into custody without incident, Nole said.

On site was a trailer that was reported stolen from an RV lot in Silverdale and a Toyota Tacoma truck that was reported stolen in Port Orchard, deputies said.

A third vehicle, a Honda, was not stolen, deputies said, but they added that they suspected it was involved in the Sept. 26 theft from the Port Townsend Safeway of a maroon Mazda Protege, which is still missing.

Nole said the Honda has been identified from a security video as having been near the car that was stolen after its keys were left in it.

The owners of some of the stolen electronic items already have been identified, Nole said. He declined to offer details on what other material was recovered.

Nole said deputies suspect that the couple were involved in a theft reported Sept. 29 when a hunter returned to his truck in a nearby campground to find broken windows and a missing generator.

— Charlie Bermant is Jefferson County editor of the Peninsula Daily News.  cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com