Raid on Port Angeles house linked to alleged burglary ring [**Video**]

PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles police Thursday made another arrest they said is linked to a drug-related burglary ring that occurred in the city last month and in early September.

Stephanie J. Kahler, 28, of Port Angeles was arrested and booked in the Clallam County jail for investigation of second-degree burglary and second-degree theft.

Port Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said Kahler is a known associate of Paul A. Spoon, a 32-year-old Port Angeles man who was charged Tuesday in a string of 18 burglaries, thefts and forgeries.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Police Sgt. Jesse Winfield spotted Kahler in an alley behind a house at the corner of South Laurel Street and Whidby Avenue at 10:48 a.m., Smith said.

“This case is connected to a larger burglary,” said Smith, who added that Kahler was “involved in some fashion” with the crime ring.

A person who was with Kahler, Christopher M. Mitchell, 20, of Port Angeles, was arrested on a warr­ant for failure to appear.

It was unclear whether Mitchell was involved in the burglaries, Smith said.

The arrests were made in an alley behind a house at 101 Whidby Ave.

The house is the residence of David Fox, a Port Angeles attorney who ran unsuccessfully for Clallam County commissioner in 2008 and for the 5th Congressional District based in Spokane in 2010. He also announced candidacy for Clallam County prosecuting attorney in 2010 but didn’t file.

Fox is not suspected in the burglaries.

“He [Fox] was not inside at the time,” Smith said.

“He spoke to officers in the alley, then left the area.”

Port Angeles police obtained a search warrant to look for stolen property, drugs and people inside the house and in the vehicle Kahler had been in.

City police, Clallam County sheriff’s deputies and the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team broke through the front door of the house and arrested Christopher M. Brown, 32, of Port Angeles for investigation of cocaine possession.

A second person inside the house was detained but not arrested.

The door was broken in because the occupants refused to open it, Smith said.

Fox phoned the Peninsula Daily News shortly before 7 p.m. Thursday night to make a statement, which began:

“It is a sad day when the forces of evil triumph over the good, whatever the outcome of this outrageous, unlawful and unconstitutional search of my house and office,” Fox said.

“Nevertheless, the bare and naked truth remains: This community is no friend to the dispossessed, nor is it a companion to the downtrodden.”

Port Angeles police continue to investigate the thefts and burglaries that occurred in several schools, businesses and public agency buildings.

The value of the stolen property is at least $10,000, Smith has said.

Spoon was arrested Sept. 14 while jumping out of a window of a residence. Police found tools that were stolen from DelHur Industries in the living room of Spoon’s apartment on the 4000 block of Newell Road in Port Angeles.

More arrests are expected, Smith said.

“We’re working towards recovering all of the property stolen,” he said.

“It’s on ongoing effort.”

Anyone who suspects they have stolen property is asked to phone the Port Angeles Police Department at 360-452-4545.

________

Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port Townsend Marina in an apparent race across the bay on Tuesday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Catching the wind

A pair of wind surfers take off from the breakwater at Port… Continue reading

Clallam County Economic Development Council Director of Operations Lorie Fazio, left, and Executive Director Colleen McAleer stand with Michael Cade, executive director of Thurston EDC who presented the WEDA’s 2025 Innovation in Economic Development award. The EDC received the award last month in recognition of its Clallam Forest Product Innovation Program.
Clallam EDC wins state innovation award

Forest innovation program intended to revitalize industry

Port Townsend library to show Willa Cather documentary

Free novels, dramatic reading Thursday at 5:30

Jefferson sets short-term rental rules

County establishes 4 percent cap, one rental per operator

When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
When former deputy and pilot John L. Strachan told his wife Jennie that his final wish was for his ashes to be sent into space, she wondered if he was kidding. After all, could such a thing even be done? Turns out, it can — and Jennie is making it happen. (Jennie Strachan)
Former deputy’s ashes to be sent into space

Widow of John Strachan to fulfill his dream

Port OKs Citizen Air lease

Company purchasing Rite Bros. Aviation

Rebates offered for e-bikes through April 23

The state Department of Transportation will accept applications for e-bike… Continue reading

Jefferson County Public Health names heroes

Jefferson County Public Health has announced its 2025 Public… Continue reading

Man transported to hospital after log truck goes into ditch

A log truck driver was transported to Forks Community Hospital… Continue reading

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual Port Townsend Farmers Market on Saturday in the uptown neighborhood. Behind are goat wranglers Lindsey Kotzebue and Amber Langley of Port Townsend. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Market opens

Heath Wade, 5, leads the goat parade to open the 37th annual… Continue reading

Kelly Kidwell, a local business owner and property developer, is purchasing Rite Bros. with the intention of building a long-term sustainable business that will expand aviation access in the area. Citizen Air, based at William R. Fairchild International Airport, will offer charter flights and fractional aircraft ownership. The possibility of scheduled flights could be in the distant future. Kidwell is shown with his Poodle-Bernese mountain dog, Porter. (Paula Hunt/Peninsula Daily News)
Citizen Air aims to expand access

New Rite Bros. owner planning for growth

Health officer: Disease numbers low, but cuts affecting programs

Additional measles case located in Washington state