A task force investigation of home burglaries continues following the recovery of a gun stolen in an earlier burglary during a Friday, Jan. 29, search of a Port Angeles house.

Miles Keith Stayton, 25, of Port Angeles, was arrested and booked into Clallam County Jail on three counts of possession of stolen firearms.

A search of Stayton's home at 1327 W. 16th St. in Port Angeles produced several handguns.

Port Angeles Police Department detectives requested a Washington State Patrol SWAT unit because suspects at the residence were believed to be involved in several burglaries of drugs and weapons.

Police believe they may have traded guns for cash and prescription medications.

Clallam County Det. Sgt. Lyman Moores said detectives continue following leads associated with this case and other burglaries.

In mid-January, Sequim police alerted residents about an increase in daytime burglaries in and around the city. They were part of more than 20 possibly related daytime home burglaries from December through January.

Andrew J. Ellsworth, 45, and Zachary R. Oravetz, 21, both of Port Angeles, were arrested Jan. 9 and charged with two counts of residential burglary and six counts of firearm theft.

Anyone suspicious of recently purchased property such as guns, computers or electronic equipment should contact the Olympic Peninsula Burglary Task Force or their local police department, Moores said.



Cash for crooks

If you have any information regarding these recent burglaries, call North Olympic Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. NOCS pays cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information that results in an arrest for felony crimes reported to NOCS. You never have to give your name; all callers remain anonymous.