SEQUIM — A burglary suspect whistled for help in the predawn hours of Sunday but instead attracted the attention of a sheriff’s deputy, who said the man’s accomplices apparently abandoned him along Cameron Road.
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said Richard Allen Welches, 22, of Port Angeles had hidden in bushes after a homeowner discovered three men running from his property in the 20 block of Cameron at 3:52 a.m.
When Deputy Don Kitchen responded, he heard whistling coming from the bushes and discovered Welches.
According to Kitchen, Welches was whistling at a newspaper delivery person, mistaking her for one of his accomplices and hoping they would pick him up.
Welches was booked into the county jail on two counts of second-degree criminal trespass, one count of third-degree theft and possession of a controlled substance. He remained in jail with no bond set Tuesday.
Deputies Tuesday continued seeking the other two men.
Welches matched the description given by another resident who earlier had reported a prowler in the 400 block of Cameron.
The prowler had tried to open the homeowner’s door. Told to leave, he departed, pulling a black-wheeled suitcase.
Kitchen arrested Welches without incident after hearing the whistling and found him in possession of syringes and clothing inside a suitcase, plus a Seattle newspaper.
“I wanted something to read,” Welches reportedly told Kitchen, explaining why he had a copy of The Seattle Times.
Deputies said they found heroin on Welches’ person when they searched him.
The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information on the incident to call 360-417-2262.
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Reporter James Casey can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jcasey@peninsuladailynews.com.
