By RACHEL BRANT
Staff writer
Five suspects were recently apprehended by Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives and Everett Police in connection with a burglary to a home on the Hood Canal, west of Silverdale.
Lori J. Devier, 51, of Everett, and Jacquelyn A. Elzea, 20, also of Everett, appeared in Kitsap County Superior Court Monday for formal arraignment. Both women were charged with residential burglary and first-degree theft with bail set at $200,000.
Three other suspects are being held in the Snohomish County Jail on charges from law enforcement agencies in that county. The suspects include Elzea’s boyfriend, Dylan Downey, 24, formerly of Kitsap County and now of Everett; Stephen Sundstrom, 19, of Everett, and Phaalen Riall, 23, of Seattle. Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives have probable cause holds on these suspects while they apply for arrest warrants from Kitsap County Superior Court, according to court documents.
The burglary was discovered during the early morning hours on Jan. 12 by family members. Stolen property included “a substantial amount of jewelry, clothing items, credit cards, electronic items and a 2008 Cadillac STS sedan,” according to documents. The homeowner is a “prominent person in the community,” according to Deputy Scott Wilson, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. The total value of stolen property exceeded $1 million.
“It is my understanding that this crime was not one solely of opportunity,” Kitsap County Sheriff Steve Boyer stated in a news release. “The burglary to this residence was planned. The neighborhood location and surrounding area had been previously cased by at least one of the perpetrators.”
Elzea and Downey were known to be living in the Snohomish County area and both were arrested Jan. 19 for possessing stolen property and felony eluding. An Everett Police detective was investigating the Snohomish County crimes and was aware of the Kitsap County burglary, according to documents. On Jan. 24, the Everett detective located 13 jewelry items as well as paperwork in the victim’s name with a Coach purse.
Downey spoke with the Kitsap County Sheriff’s detective Jan. 25 and admitted that he, Elzea, Devier, Sundstrom, Riall and others were all present during the Hood Canal burglary. He gave specific details and admitted to possessing some of the stolen items, according to court documents.
A Kitsap County Sheriff’s detective questioned Devier Jan. 25 and she admitted to being present during the burglary and possessing stolen jewelry. Elzea also was at Devier’s Everett home during the detective’s visit and both were apprehended and booked into Kitsap County Jail Jan. 25 with bail set at $100,000.
Kitsap County Sheriff’s detectives have recovered approximately $500,000 worth of the stolen property as well as the stolen Cadillac, according to documents.
“I am not only pleased with the exceptional progress with this investigation, I am extremely proud of the detectives involved,” Boyer stated. “They have worked this investigation, nonstop, from when it was first reported.”
“I would like to add my appreciation to the Everett Police Department and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office for their invaluable assistance to our investigators,” the Sheriff added. “Without their local area knowledge, this investigation would have required additional resources, manpower and time.”
During Monday’s court appearance, Deputy Prosecutor Bonnie Martin requested both Devier’s and Elzea’s bail amounts to be raised to $250,000 because she feared the women could post a lower bail amount with the stolen property yet to be recovered. Kitsap County Superior Court Judge Jay B. Roof raised both women’s bail amounts to $200,000.
“That’s not very common in my experience,” Wilson said.
The trial is scheduled to begin in March and the investigation continues. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Detective Chad Birkenfeld at (360) 337-5619 or Detective Ray Stroble at (360) 337-5614.
