Deputies didn’t call him a Grinch, but they say a man left a trail of ornaments after ransacking a Sequim-area home and stealing a Christmas tree Monday, Dec. 4.
Trevor C. Powell, 25, was held in the Clallam County jail Tuesday, Dec. 5, on $10,000 bail for investigation of residential burglary and second-degree malicious mischief.
“The residence was maliciously ransacked,” Sgt. Shaun Minks said in a news release.
The Sheriff’s Office initially said in a news release and in the arrest report that the family’s Shih Tzu puppy was stolen, but Sheriff Bill Benedict said Tuesday the dog was later found safe in the home.
Clallam County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney James Kennedy asked Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly to set Powell’s bail at $15,000, calling the case “disturbing.”
Kennedy said that Powell has a history in California of theft, trespassing, possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct, but has little or no criminal history in Washington state.
Melly called the allegations against Powell “concerning” and set bail at $10,000. Charges are expected to be filed Thursday.
During court, Powell asked Melly if he could be released without bail on the condition that he seeks drug and alcohol treatment.
Judge: Speak with attorney
Melly stopped Powell mid-sentence, urging him to talk to an attorney before making such a request in open court.
Powell told investigators he was intoxicated and in a rage because of his recent breakup, according to the news release. Deputies say he took video while burning his ex-girlfriend’s property and then sent her the videos to get her to come to the house.
Deputies investigated a report at about 5 p.m. Monday that the caller’s daughter’s former live-in boyfriend, Powell, had burglarized the Sequim-area home.
When deputies arrived they found a trail of Christmas ornaments that led up the driveway and up to the door.
They found a burn pile in the yard that contained the remnants of clothing, two bicycles and two scooters. Powell’s ex-girlfriend told deputies that all of her clothing was missing from her closet.
The glass on one of the French doors to the home had been completely shattered and the door frame was damaged. Food from the cupboards and refrigerator was dumped on the floor throughout the kitchen.
Sequim police found Powell later near his apartment in Sequim and detained him. They said he was intoxicated and had a fresh cut to his arm, which was treated by medics.
Law enforcement searched his apartment and vehicle and said they found the stolen Christmas tree with other stolen items from the home. Deputies say there were ornaments from the tree still in Powell’s vehicle.
There was fresh blood throughout the vehicle from his injury, deputies said.
Jesse Major is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
