Burglars remain at large after stealing from Carlsborg businesses

By Matthew Nash • July 31, 2024 11:45 am
Photo courtesy of Clallam County Sheriff’s Office (above) Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash (left) A suspect scaled the roof of Ace Hardware on July 20 and broke through the store’s HVAC system and went down a ladder to steal about $1,300 in tools with another suspect, according to Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. They also stole a box truck from neighboring Keller Supply Company and broke into Ace a first time on July 16 using a fire extinguisher to enter the store and steal tools.
Photo courtesy of Clallam County Sheriff’s Office (above) Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash (left) A suspect scaled the roof of Ace Hardware on July 20 and broke through the store’s HVAC system and went down a ladder to steal about $1,300 in tools with another suspect, according to Clallam County Sheriff’s Office. They also stole a box truck from neighboring Keller Supply Company and broke into Ace a first time on July 16 using a fire extinguisher to enter the store and steal tools.

Two suspects remain at large following recent burglaries and a vehicle theft from two Carlsborg businesses.

Clallam County Sheriff’s Office deputies report that the suspects broke into the Ace Hardware, 232 Valley Center Place, on July 16 and 20, and stole a box truck from Keller Supply Company, 23 Dorothea Way, on July 16.

First incidents

Sgt. Shaun Minks said suspects stole a Kenworth box truck valued at $85,000 from Keller Supply Company at about 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16.

Minks said security cameras’ show a few minutes later one of the suspects smashed open the lower portion of the glass in a door with a fire extinguisher to gain entry into Ace Hardware.

Once inside, the suspects stole several Milwaukee tools off end racks and loaded them into the stolen truck, he said.

At 6:15 a.m. the same morning, a delivery driver found a padlock cut, the gate open, broken glass and a truck missing. Staff report the keys were not inside the truck, deputies report.

Second burglary

At about 2 a.m. Saturday, July 20, Sheriff’s Office officials report two suspects scaled Ace Hardware with a ladder to climb onto the roof and break into the business through its heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system.

The suspects used a rope ladder to rappel into the store, sounding an alarm that led deputies to respond.

While security footage is difficult to decipher, deputies report Ace staffers believe it was the same suspects who broke into the store on July 16.

One suspect smashed open the store’s front door with an ax, and the second suspect retracted the ladder and reentered through the front door and they took about $1,300 in tools: two Stihl backpack blowers and a DeWalt cordless fan.

Deputies report witnesses heard a loud banging noise outside and saw two males running with items in their arms to a gravel portion behind Bliemeisters’ Wood Works, 172 Valley Center Place, and into a vehicle that drove towards Hooker Road.

It was not seen again that morning, deputies report.

Minks said it looked like a hatchback vehicle.

Minks said other agencies have seen the box truck go through toll booths on Highway 99 at least four times, and that other agencies are investigating another burglary linked to the truck.

“Since they’re being active with a stolen truck, they’re going to be caught at some point,” Minks said.

No suspects have been identified yet, deputies report.

Suspects

The first suspect is believed to be a white male with a beard (possibly brown), wearing a gray hoodie with a large circular emblem on its back, dark pants and white/black shoes.

The second suspect wore a dark hoodie with black or dark colored backpack, tan pants and possibly a stocking cap.

Minks said it’s likely the suspects are not local and came to Sequim to commit the burglaries.

Anyone with information regarding these burglaries is asked to call Clallam County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 360-417-2459 (Option 1), the Sheriff’s Office at 360-417-2262 or leave an anonymous tip at clallam.net/cnmaster-c/nwformeml.php.

Clallam County Sheriff Brian King said due to the quality of the security camera photos, more information could not be discerned from footage nor from witness descriptions.

The rope ladder appeared to be a black rope with metal rungs, deputies report.