PORT ANGELES — Two men and a woman who allegedly looked for a Lost Mountain Road residence to burglarize Sunday were charged Wednesday in Clallam County Superior Court with residential burglary and second-degree theft.
John R. Hopperstad, 50, of Port Angeles, and Nancy F. Birkland, 41, of Sequim, pleaded not guilty.
A status hearing has been set for June 20 for Birkland, who was released on her own recognizance.
Hopperstad remained in the Clallam County jail Wednesday afternoon on $20,000 bond.
His status hearing is June 14.
Anthony C. Eacrett, 51, of Port Angeles, will be arraigned at 1:30 p.m. Friday. He was in jail Wednesday on $20,000 bond.
A couple who own a home in the 2900 block of Lost Mountain Road pulled up to their house shortly after noon Sunday to find the burglary in progress, according to probable cause statements.
The husband saw Birkland sitting in a Nissan Maxima parked at the house and Hopperstad inside his dining room, holding the homeowner’s iMac computer, according to the statements.
Hopperstad dropped the iMac, ran out of the house and was chased by the man, according to the probable cause statement.
He tackled Hopperstad and sat on him until authorities arrived, Sheriff’s Sgt. Amy Bundy said in an earlier interview.
Birkland, who fled on foot, was arrested about a half-mile from the home.
Eacrett, the registered owner of the Nissan, was arrested walking on Lost Mountain Road a few miles away.
A cellphone, an $800 Apple watch, and a pillowcase stuffed with jewelry and other items were found outside the residence.
Hopperstad told authorities they had checked houses to burglarize before choosing the home.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at pgottlieb@ peninsuladailynews.com.
