PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man has been charged with attempting to lure several boys away from a birthday party June 7.
Donald A. Halkett, 68, was charged with luring, a Class C felony, in Clallam County Superior Court on Thursday. His arraignment is scheduled today. Bail is set at $30,000.
Investigators identified Halkett as the man who parents at a birthday party at Lincoln Park said had attempted to entice boys to see magic tricks, Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said.
The parents, who described the man to police, also said they didn’t know him.
Halkett was arrested at his home about two blocks east of Lincoln Park on Monday.
Smith said the description of the man matched Halkett, with whom a police officer had spoken before.
“It was good solid police work, based on being out in the community and talking with him,” he said.
Halkett had not been approached by police officers in investigation of a crime before, Smith added.
Prior to the arrest, Halkett admitted to police officers that he had been at the party and talked to three boys, according to a police probable-cause statement.
He denied trying to lure them away from the party.
Smith said that Halkett is not a registered sex offender in the state.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.