Clallam County sheriff’s deputies have apprehended Ronnie L. Bayley, a man suspected of burglarizing a home on Bell Hill in mid-January and avoiding law enforcement for almost two months.

 

A press release by the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office states that an anonymous informant called investigators on Feb. 28 and provided information detailing how the burglary was committed, what was stolen and Bayley’s name. After running a background check on Bayley, Burglary Task Force detectives discovered that he matched the description of the Bell Hill bicycle bandit and lived north of Sequim.

 

Detectives obtained a warrant to search Bayley’s residence for the clothing worn and the bicycle used during the theft. They contacted Bayley while in his yard and interviewed him at the residence. After learning that he had been recorded on camera, Bayley admitted that he had burglarized the house to obtain money to buy drugs. While detectives didn’t recover the clothes worn, they did find the mountain bike. None of the items burglarized were recovered, and investigators believe they have been sold.

Bayley was booked into the Clallam County Corrections Facility on charges of residential burglary, malicious mischief and theft in the first degree.

 

Bayley made his preliminary appearance on March 1. Prosecutor Ann Lundwall asked Judge Erik Rohrer to set bail at $5,000 based on his methamphetamine use and willingness to victimize others in the community for drug money.

 

The court denied the bail amount, citing his lack of prior criminal history. Bayley was released on his personal recognizance with a number of stipulations, including prohibition of alcohol, drugs or other substances and restriction of travel to western Washington only.