PORT ANGELES — A 21-year-old man police believe is linked to 28 commercial burglaries in Port Angeles now faces charges for six break-ins.
Four additional burglary charges were filed against Andrew W. White on Friday in Clallam County Superior Court.
White had been in Clallam County jail on $10,000 bail for allegedly burglarizing Thai Pepper Restaurant at 222 N. Lincoln St., reported April 6, by forcing his way through a door, and What’s in Store at The Landing mall half a block away at 115 E. Railroad Ave., reported April 9, by manipulating a door lock.
Charges for allegedly burglarizing Olympian Canna, a marijuana dispensary at 303 Tumwater Truck Route; Corrine’s Clipper & Style/Viva Salon, 337 E. Eighth St.; Sassy Kat Salon, 525 E. Eighth St.; and Olympic Eye Care, 504 E. Eighth St., were added during Friday’s status hearing.
The dispensary was burglarized Feb. 22; the other three businesses were burglarized either March 27 or March 28.
White — who, according to police records, is formerly of Arkansas and goes by the name “Arkansas” — has pleaded not guilty to the two first charges.
No plea was made on the additional charges.
A status hearing is set for Sept. 2.
Trial in September
White now is charged with one count of third-degree theft and six counts of second-degree burglary, and will tried on those charges Sept. 12.
Smith said police have “probable cause” to believe White was involved in 28 burglaries between February and April.
He added that other burglaries are being investigated and it’s possible White could be connected to more.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Troberg said White is being charged on the strongest cases.
“I chose the six because they appear to be very closely connected with DNA evidence and fingerprints and surveillance,” he said.
With six burglary charges, White meets the top of his standard sentencing range, Troberg said.
His standard range would be 51 to 68 months if convicted.
Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith described the crime spree as “prolific” but added they’re not too uncommon.
“His file is pretty thick,” he said.
“For us, it’s a huge undertaking,” Smith said.
White was arrested April 9 after police identified him as the man caught in a surveillance video of a burglary at What’s in Store.
All but one burglary police said White is connected with occurred in Port Angeles within DelGuzzi Drive, East Lauridsen Boulevard and Tumwater Truck Route.
Currency in the “thousands of dollars” was taken during the break-ins, Detective Jason Viada has said, but other valuables were left.
Before his arrest Jan. 15 on an unrelated criminal trespass charge, White lived at the Street Outreach Shelter at 520 E. First St., which is operated by Serenity House of Clallam County.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.