SEQUIM — A Sequim man is in custody after authorities say a homeowner tried to hold him at gunpoint when the 31-year-old was found with a stolen truck near a barn on McFarland Drive.
Deputies arrested Cole Hall — who they say stole the truck and 40 crab pots Thursday — and booked him in to the Clallam County jail Friday morning for investigation of theft of a motor vehicle, fourth-degree assault, theft from a vehicle and trespassing.
A man in the 700 block of McFarland Drive near Sequim noticed an unfamiliar flatbed truck parked in front of his barn doors Friday morning and Hall “lurking near the barn doors,” according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Hall, whom authorities describe as a homeless resident of Sequim, attempted to flee in the truck but got stuck in mud as the barn owner blocked the gate with his own vehicle.
He called 9-1-1 and attempted to detain Hall, according to a news release. When Hall didn’t listen, the barn owner drew his revolver and pointed it at Hall in an attempt to keep him detained in the truck.
Hall swung the truck door at the man, hitting him in his leg, according to the sheriff’s office. The barn owner then hit Hall over the head with his .357 revolver before Hall ran off, the release stated.
He fired a shot into the ground, but Hall kept running, according to the report.
Later in the morning, a neighbor spotted Hall. Nearby deputies then found Hall behind some bushes and took him into custody without incident.
Deputies say the truck Hall was driving was stolen from John Wayne Marina in Sequim. It had been loaded Thursday with 40 crab pots and stolen sometime overnight.
Deputies are asking the public to contact the sheriff’s office if they have information about the crab pots.
They are large round commercial crab pots measuring about 42 inches by 12 inches and may have lines and buoys attached.
The crab pots, valued at about $225 each, may have been “dumped” somewhere in the Blyn or Palo Alto areas east of Sequim, according to the sheriff’s office.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.