A Centralia police officer investigating what initially appeared to be a disabled vehicle discovered property believed to be stolen from his own residence Tuesday.
Officers contacted a subject in what appeared to be a disabled vehicle just after 10 a.m. Tuesday. The man in the vehicle was actually trying to start the vehicle with a screwdriver, according to police. The man told police the title of the vehicle was at his residence in the 700 block of West Reynolds Road.
When an officer responded to the residence, he spotted property that had been stolen from an out-building at his Chehalis home earlier in the week, according to Sgt. Pat Fitzgerald.
“He was standing at the door, and when he looks over there’s his property,” Fitzgerald said.
Officers acquired a search warrant and found numerous items of stolen property ranging from bicycles to jewelry, some of which was confirmed stolen from homes, garages, sheds and storage units over the past few months, according to a release from Centralia Police.
Fitzgerald said more than 40 thefts have been reported to detached buildings and garages since January.
“We do believe we’re going to be able to clear some of those,” Fitzgerald said.
Police arrested one man on suspicion of obstructing and possession of a controlled substance, but Fitzgerald said it is not known if the man — Russell Lamb — was connected to the burglaries or stolen property. He said the investigation remains open.
Centralia Police are seeking information from victims who may have had items stolen recently but have yet to report the theft to police, in particular the loss of motorcycles, power tools, compressors and bicycles. The Centralia Police Investigations Division can be reached at 330-7614.
