(This is excerpted from a longer story by Celeste Cornish published in the Feb. 26 issue of the North Kitsap Herald.)
Five arrests were made Feb. 22 in a burglary and identity theft ring in North Kitsap. Among those facing charges is a former Kitsap Sun newspaper carrier who allegedly used subscribers’ vacation information to burglarize homes in the North End.
Four of those arrested made court appearances in Kitsap County Superior Court Feb. 25, said Scott Wilson, Kitsap County Sheriff’s public information officer. Making a court appearance Feb. 25 was Paul Woods, 23, of Suquamish who is a former carrier for the Kitsap Sun. In his original arrest Feb. 22, he was charged with first-degree possession of stolen property, first-degree trafficking in stolen property, and forgery, with bail set at $125,000. After making bail, he was arrested again Feb, 23 on charges of first-degree identity theft and unlawful possession of a payment device, Wilson said. During a Feb. 25 court appearance, the charges brought the previous Saturday weren’t filed. The Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office still retains the right to file the charges.
Michael McCarroll, 31, of Poulsbo, was charged with second-degree theft and failure to appear/contempt of court.
Steven McGuire, 25, of Poulsbo, was charged with first-degree possession of stolen property and an unrelated charge of violation of no-contact order.
Lois Ewing, 43, of Poulsbo, was charged with first-degree possession of stolen property and possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.
Tina Wallace, 32, of Suquamish was charged Feb. 22 with identity theft and possession of methamphetamine. She also is charged with a no-bail warrant of arrest for escape from community custody from the Washington State Department of Corrections.
The burglary ring victimized homes from Poulsbo to Hansville, and the Hood Canal Bridge east to Port Gamble, Kingston, Indianola, Suquamish and Bainbridge Island according to the sheriff’s office.
More than $75,000 in stolen items was recovered, but detectives suspect more than $250,000 in items was taken in more than 50 residential burglaries. The crew is also suspected in more than 100 theft and vehicle prowl cases, Wilson said.
During the investigation, detectives found a list of Kitsap Sun newspaper delivery routes, which indicated subscribers’ vacation dates, and believe that information was used to target victims.
Stephanie McGinnis, circulation director for Sound Publishing, parent company of the North Kitsap Herald and Kingston Community News, said there are safeguards in place to ensure subscribers’ vacation information remains confidential.
“The carriers will receive a stop date for the paper but will not receive the resume date until the after the customer has returned from vacation,” she said. “All vacation hold information is kept confidential in the circulation manager’s offices and the carriers do not have access to it.”
Detectives are still looking for four people believed to be involved in the burglaries, Wilson said. Victims of home burglaries, or anyone with information about the crimes, can contact Detective Steve Duckworth at (360) 337-5669 or Detective Lori Blankenship at (360) 337-6516.
