PORT TOWNSEND — The spirit of taking rather than giving tainted Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for owners of a Port Townsend business and a Port Ludlow residence.

Two women were caught late Christmas morning loading their vehicle with stolen household items at a residence on Old Oak Bay Road in Port Ludlow, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sgt. Mark Apeland said.

Deputy Brian Anderson arrived at the residence at about 11:20 a.m. Monday in response to an alert from the homeowners’ alarm system company, Apeland said.

Jennifer B. Scribner, 40, and Stephanie R. Brown, 25, were in the process of burglarizing the house, Apeland said.

Already handcuffed

Anderson already had Scribner handcuffed near the vehicle when Brown came out of the residence “with an armload full of items,” Apeland said.

“She went, ‘Uh-oh, this was a bad idea,’ ” Apeland said.

The women were arrested for investigation of felony residential burglary and jailed without bond at the Jefferson County jail.

Their first court appearance is today, Apeland said.

Someone also struck Propolis Brewing of Port Townsend early on Christmas Eve.

Co-Owner Piper Corbett said Monday on her Facebook page that between 1 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. Sunday, after the brewery’s winter holiday party, someone stole the business’ event cash box.

It contained Propolis’ iPad and a deposit bag with cash, uncashed checks and tips, Corbett said.

The cash box was stolen “while we were closing up our shop and loading up our car for the early morning Sunday farmers market,” she said.

“We are in shock, disbelief, grief, ashamed as to how this could have happened and now deeply heavy hearted for the financial loss we were relying on during an already difficult time and slow time of year.

“If anyone has any information about this trespass, please contact us privately.

“We are looking primarily for anyone trying to trade or resell a black-cased 8X6inch iPad (serial number to follow) or information regarding our black metal cash box and black bank deposit bag, labeled with our Business name.

“Mostly we are holding space, with no questions asked, for the return of our property and important funds we need for these slow winter months.”

Corbett did not return calls Monday for comment.

Port Townsend Police Department spokeswoman Keppie Keplinger said the incident is under investigation.

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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.