PORT ANGELES — An Agnew-area man allegedly stole a surveillance camera that might have recorded him burglarizing the historic 91-year-old Agnew Grocery and Feed convenience store July 24, according to the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.
Andrew D. Luquette, 34, remained in the Clallam County jail without bail while the Sheriff’s Office continues to examine evidence in the case, Sheriff’s Sgt. Eric Munger said Tuesday.
Luquette is being held without bail on a Drug Court warrant of commitment that was issued after he allegedly left inpatient treatment Jan. 9 without authorization, according to Superior Court records.
He is expected to appear Thursday at the weekly Superior Court Drug Court session.
A Thursday appearance schedule was unavailable late Tuesday.
“It’s not uncommon for people to be held on Drug Court warrants until the next regularly scheduled Drug Court session,” county Prosecuting Attorney Mark Nichols said Tuesday.
Munger said the case against Luquette will be forwarded to Nichols’ office for possible charging of second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, third-degree malicious mischief, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of heroin.
Munger said the person who burglarized the iconic 2863 Old Olympic Highway store cut through the floor from the crawlspace under the building and stole 20 packs of Marlboro and Camel cigarettes, 20 lighters and the store’s digital security video recorder.
The owner estimated losses of $1,500, Munger said.
According to a post on the store’s Facebook page, which features photos of the store’s signature 1941 red Chevy pickup, the burglar cut through the floor with a cordless Sawzall.
“There was some serious damage and a huge mess made,” according to the post.
Munger said Luquette was arrested Friday at his Agnew-area home on the basis of an informant’s tip that he had burglarized the store and had the stolen property at his residence.
Detectives who went to Luquette’s home said they discovered empty cigarette packages consistent with the brands that were stolen, several new lighters and the store’s video system, which Munger said may contain images of the burglary in action.
Luquette also had a shotgun in his possession, which he is prohibited from having as a convicted felon, and a small amount of heroin, Munger said.
Luquette’s criminal history includes 2013 and 2014 convictions for second-degree burglary and residential burglary as a juvenile.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at [email protected].
