PORT ANGELES — A 34-year-old Port Angeles man who a judge released from the Clallam County jail last week was arrested again over the weekend and is accused of driving a stolen truck, attempting to use a torch to break into a safe on federal property and stealing a knife from a hay shed.
Brandon Hall, who is accused of speeding through a school zone in a stolen 2018 GMC Yukon earlier this month, remained held in the Clallam County jail Sunday for investigation of residential burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, second-degree burglary and third-degree theft.
Superior Court Judge Christopher Melly ordered Hall released from jail Sept. 10 on the condition he doesn’t commit any crimes.
After being released from jail, Hall and a friend — who is alleged to have been involved in Hall’s previous case — “came into possession of a truck” that was stolen from the Marine Drive area, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
They took the truck to the Heart of the Hills fee station early Friday morning where Hall attempted to use an acetylene torch to cut into a safe, according to a news release.
“Fortunately the activity didn’t cause a fire and the safe was not entered,” Sgt. Randy Pieper said in the news release. “Motorist activity apparently scared the pair off.”
There was smoke damage and the incident is being investigated by the National Park Service. Pieper said he is hoping for federal charges.
The pair traveled around areas around Black Diamond Road and at some point separated, Pieper said. Hall left on foot and crossed a ravine to Old Mill Road before making his way into a hay storage shed on the 4700 block of Old Mill Road.
After taking a knife from the shed he attempted to enter a home on the 4600 block of Old Mill Road.
“When Hall went around the rear of the residence he encountered Port Angeles Police Officer Mike Johnson who took Hall into custody at gunpoint,” Pieper said in the news release.
Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies then responded. Hall “recanted his activities” to Deputy Eric Morris, which led to a search of the truck.
Inside, deputies found an acetylene torch and tanks. Investigators suspect the torch is stolen but are unsure where it came from, Pieper said.
When Hall was arrested earlier this month for investigation of a stolen vehicle, deputies found a generator in the back of the vehicle that was believed to have been stolen, according to court documents.
Inside the backpacks were burglary tools, eight stolen credit cards, 10 checks written to Olympic National Park, two military identification cards, four social security cards and a Washington State ID card, according to court documents.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office at 360-417-2459.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.