Two men arrested in Port Angeles robbery

PORT ANGELES — City police Tuesday arrested two men who allegedly tied up a motel guest with duct tape and robbed him of money and other items.

Charles L. Pitchford, 22, and Joseph E. Elliott, 22, were booked into the ­Clallam County jail for investigation of first-degree armed robbery after a short foot pursuit from the motel at Front and Washington streets to an apartment complex at Fifth and Francis streets in Port Angeles.

Pitchford and Elliott were scheduled to make their first court appearance Wednesday afternoon.

Both are listed as homeless.

The alleged victim told police that he had been robbed at gunpoint by two men who fled south from the Aircrest Motel at about 5 p.m.

The man who reported the robbery had head lacerations but refused medical treatment, Port Angeles Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith said.

Port Angeles police, ­Clallam County sheriff’s deputies, Border Patrol agents and State Patrol troopers established a containment area around Fifth and Race streets at about 5:15 p.m.

Jag, a Port Angeles police dog, and Cpl. Kevin Miller tracked the two men’s scent from the hotel to the apartment complex.

Tenants helped investigators locate the men in one of the apartments.

An occupant gave sheriff’s detectives permission to enter and search for the men.

Police obtained a warrant and found physical evidence in the apartment.

No weapon was recovered.

“We’re still trying to put together all the pieces of this,” Smith said Wednesday.

________

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

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