by Sequim Gazette staff

Police arrested a 57-year-old man Feb. 15 on investigation of burglary after he allegedly pulled a knife on the owner of CK Smoke Shop on West Washington Street in Sequim.

Jeffery Wayne Green, of Sequim, remains in custody on $5,000 bond after appearing in court Feb. 16.

According to police, Green entered the smoke shop just before 1 p.m. with the intention of stealing cigars.

Store owner Young K. Chang told police he saw Green remove three packs of “Smokers Best” cigars from the shelf. Green placed two of the packs on the checkout counter with his debit card, while the other pack was concealed in his left jacket pocket, police said.

Store employees have barred Green from the business three times for theft, police said.

When Chang confronted Green about the cigars in his pocket, Green denied it before ultimately placing the pack on the counter, police said.

Chang held on to Green’s debit card and said he was going to call the police. Green protested and brandished a folding blade knife, demanding Chang return his debit card, police said.

Chang complied and Green left the store without the cigars, according to an arrest report.

A responding Clallam County Sheriff’s deputy stopped Green on South Fifth Avenue near the shop and Chang identified Green as the suspect.

Green denied any kind of theft and said he brandished his knife “from his military training” when Young wouldn’t give him back his debit card, police said.

Prosecutors intend to file charges Feb. 21 in Clallam County Superior Court.