A Chehalis man faces up to 10 years in prison after he allegedly broke into the victim’s trailer and stole mountain climbing gear and a sweatshirt.
Brian D. Hughes, 50, is charged with one count each of second-degree burglary and third-degree theft. He made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court Thursday.
A judge set bail at $10,000 cash or bond, maintaining the amount set in Hughes’ arrest warrant.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Chehalis police responded to a burglary complaint in October and learned from the homeowner that someone had accessed a trailer on his property.
“Later that same day, the homeowner again contacted police and indicated a person was in a different trailer on the property,” prosecutors wrote in the affidavit. “Upon arrival, it was learned the person fled, but had been identified as Brian Hughes.”
Officers learned Hughes frequently stayed at the Lewis County Gospel Mission and found him there. Hughes allegedly admitted to being in the trailer, but denied stealing anything.
Officers later recovered mountain climbing gear and a sweatshirt belonging to the victim, according to the affidavit.
Hughes is scheduled for an arraignment on Nov. 12.
Hughes was previously convicted of third-degree possession of stolen property in Lewis County Superior Court in September, according to court records. In 2023, he was convicted of second-degree burglary and second-degree theft.
