Chopping concern, woods wanderer, animal avoidance | San Juan County Sheriffs Log

The San Juan County Sheriffs’ office responded to the following calls.

July 6

• A Lopez deputy responded to a report of a dog running loose. When the deputy arrived, the dog was already back with its owner, who was given a warning.

July 7

• On Lopez, a deputy responded to a report of a person who went missing while setting up a campsite in the woods. The person wandered away from the campsite and slept in the woods until the morning. Alcohol may have been involved.

• In Friday Harbor, a deputy responded to an agency assist from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office regarding some items that were turned into St. Joseph’s Hospital. A case number was generated and arraignments were made with Bellingham Police Department to pick up the items. An investigation is ongoing.

• A Lopez deputy was contacted by a business owner who was concerned about people living in their vehicles in the village. Solutions were discussed, including contacting elected officials for action.

• A resident on Lopez reported harassment by a known local male. The matter is under investigation, and a court-issued, anti-harassment order was suggested.

• Lopez residents and a deputy discussed an ongoing animal noise complaint prior to any future enforcement action.

• An Orcas deputy investigated an allegation of an assault. A report was authored; no suspect was located.

• A deputy on San Juan took a report of a fraud complaint. Thousands of dollars were fraudulently obtained from the victim by multiple suspects in different states. The incident was documented and forwarded to the appropriate authorities.

• An Orcas deputy investigated a non-injury traffic collision involving a single vehicle and a bicycle.

• A wallet with cash, credit cards, and a driver’s license was turned into the sheriff’s office in Friday Harbor. The owner came to the office and was reunited with the wallet.

July 8

• A San Juan deputy observed a person driving on a suspended driver’s license. The deputy’s report was sent to the prosecutor’s office for a charging decision.

• A deputy on San Juan observed another person driving on a suspended driver’s license and, again, the report was sent to the prosecutor’s office for a charging decision.

• A San Juan deputy stopped the driver of a vehicle as the driver had a suspended driver’s license. The driver was issued a citation for driving with a suspended license-second degree.

• A Lopez deputy responded to a report of an assault. As a result, a probable cause statement for assault in the fourth degree was completed and sent to the prosecutor’s office for review, and the victim was advised to talk with the court about getting a protection order.

• A deputy on Lopez responded to a report of vandalism. A vehicle window had been broken overnight at the Islander Lodge and Marina. Surveillance footage was reviewed, though there is no suspect information or workable leads at this time.

• An Orcas deputy investigated an allegation of a person being stalked. The allegation was determined to be unfounded, however, a report was forwarded to the prosecutor’s office for review.

• A deputy on San Juan took a report of a stolen item. The incident was documented, though there are no suspects or workable leads at this time. Additionally, the victim was advised to get video surveillance because of multiple incidents at this location.

• A Lopez deputy responded when an off-islander witnessed a parent administer questionable physical discipline to their child in a village parking lot. The caller’s phone died shortly after, and the given description was insufficient to identify the involved party.

• A San Juan deputy stopped the driver of a vehicle on Argyle Avenue for expired tabs. The driver, who admitted to not having insurance, received a citation for operating a motor vehicle without valid proof of insurance, and a warning for expired registration of more than 45 days.

• A deputy was dispatched to a report of unknown trouble in the San Juan area. Deputies arrived and contacted the person involved and learned the incident was a medical emergency.

• A deputy on San Juan responded to a report of trespassing. The suspect was issued a trespass warning letter.

• A San Juan deputy took a report of possible theft, though an investigation did not reveal probable cause a crime was committed. The incident was, however, documented.

• A concerned Lopez citizen called to report hearing a chopping noise. The citizen was afraid that since someone was chopping down wood, someone may be planning on building a fire. A Lopez deputy took a report and reminded the citizen that fires are permitted with certain restrictions.

July 9

• A San Juan deputy responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision. The vehicle left the roadway and struck a mailbox and utility pole and the driver was transported to the hospital for treatment.

• A San Juan deputy took a report of theft involving an employee who kept items from their employer when they quit. Only a partial identity of the employee was known, and they may have fled to Canada. The incident was documented in the event the suspect is identified completely.

• Deputies on San Juan responded to a single-vehicle accident on Roche Harbor Road. The driver lost control after swerving to miss an animal on the road and went into a deep ditch, striking a telephone pole. Emergency Medical Services transported the driver to the hospital by EMS.

• A deputy on Orcas conducted a traffic stop. The driver was issued a citation for speeding, 56 mph in a 35 mph zone.

July 10

• A deputy on Lopez responded to a noise complaint near Hummel Lake.

• A San Juan deputy investigated a report of an order violation, and a probable cause statement was sent to the prosecutor’s office for a charging decision.

• A deputy on San Juan responded to a report of a driver who was all over the road. The deputy located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop after the driver turned the wrong way on Front Street at the roundabout. The deputy submitted a driver evaluation request to the department of licensing.

• A San Juan deputy responded to a report of a court order violation. However, the incident did not appear to be a violation of the order.

• A business on Orcas requested a citizen be trespassed. A deputy located the person and served a trespass warning letter.

• A San Juan deputy responded to a report of an unwanted person, removed the person from the property, and issued a notice of trespass. The deputy also noted signs of alcohol use and the person refused to submit to a breath sample, violating a known condition of court-ordered release.

• A deputy on Orcas responded to a domestic dispute. After investigation, the deputy determined no crime had been committed.

July 11

• Deputies responded to a possible domestic incident near Eastsound. After an investigation was completed it was found the incident was verbal only and the parties were separated.

• A deputy responded to a report of threats on San Juan. The incident was found to have occurred in another jurisdiction and forwarded to them for investigation.

• A deputy on San Juan responded to a report of a possible residential burglary. The reporting party stated they had a few things that just seemed out of place, but nothing appeared to be missing and there were no signs of forced entry. Photographs were taken.

• On San Juan, a deputy was dispatched to a report of an unwanted person and found them to be in violation of release conditions for a pending case. The person left the location and a report was filed to document the violation.

• On Orcas, a deputy issued a citation to a person for failing to obey traffic control devices in the Prune Alley construction zone.

• A deputy was dispatched to an order violation in the San Juan area. The deputy arrived but one of the people involved had left the area.

• A deputy on San Juan responded to a report of disorderly conduct and located the person who was issued a citation for having an open container of alcohol. The subject also refused to provide a breath sample per their court-ordered conditions. A report was made and sent to the probation officer.

• An Orcas deputy was dispatched to an agency-assist callback.

July 12

• A Lopez deputy responded to a report of vandalism at the school. A person had drawn signs and words onto the floor at the school entrance. No video surveillance was available and no suspect information exists.

• With the help of island residents, a deputy on Orcas was able to locate and set up the return of someone’s lost wallet.

• A deputy responded to a request for electronic service of civil papers to an individual in Friday Harbor. The papers were served via email per RCW 7.105.150.

• A deputy responded to a citizen assist call in Friday Harbor in which the caller reported a verbal altercation from two days prior during a scheduled custody visitation. No crime was reported, an informational report was made, and the report was forwarded to the state’s dept. of children, youth, and family services.

• A Lopez deputy took a report of a vehicle prowl resulting in stolen property. No suspect information exists; the incident was documented.

• An Orcas deputy responded to a welfare check at the ferry landing. A known suspect was highly intoxicated and shouting. A report was filed since the suspect is on alcohol conditions.

• A deputy on San Juan responded to a reported animal problem where a dog had left its porch, gone into the road, and growled and barked at a person walking by. The subject of the dog’s bark wanted the incident documented and the owners, who were apologetic and understood, informed.