PORT TOWNSEND — A 46-year-old man who police said was caught in the act of attempting to steal more than $9,000 from the Port Townsend Golf Club will be arraigned in Jefferson County Superior Court on Friday.
Port Townsend police said they interrupted a burglary Sunday night at the golf course at 1948 Blaine St. and arrested Eric Orville Waldenberg of Kingston as he was in the process of stealing $9,389 from the office safe and cash registers.
Waldenberg made his first court appearance Monday in Jefferson County Superior Court.
His arraignment was set for 8:30 a.m. Friday.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Waldenberg was in custody on a $50,000 bond at the Jefferson County jail, accused of first-degree theft, malicious mischief, second-degree burglary, possession of burglary tools and violation of supervised probation.
Police account
A report by Port Townsend Police Officer Luke Bogues gave the following account:
Bogues and Officer Ryan Smith investigated a burglary-alarm activation at 9:45 p.m. and found Waldenberg placing items into a duffel bag that was on the floor of the pro shop.
The officers confronted Waldenberg, who initially gave his name as “Dave.”
When Waldenberg attempted to walk past the officers, they forced him to the ground and placed him in handcuffs.
After confirming there were no other people in the building, the officers took Waldenberg into custody.
Police found several bank-money bags inside Waldenberg’s duffel bag that belonged to the golf club.
The bags had been removed from the safe that “appeared to have a faulty lock mechanism that caused it to easily open,” Bogues said.
Also in the duffel bag was a metal pry bar that matched the marks on the door that were made when it was forced open.
Damage from break-in
Golf club personnel later said the break-in caused about $600 in damage on the door and frame.
Prosecuting Attorney Scott Rosekrans said Waldenberg has a record of more than 20 felony convictions in Montana and Washington state and that most are for night burglaries of businesses.
Waldenberg was out on an appeal bond related to an April 2010 burglary in Port Hadlock, Rosekrans said.
On Tuesday morning, Rosekrans filed a motion to revoke that bond.
Waldenberg had pleaded guilty to the burglary, Rosekrans said.
With Waldenberg’s previous convictions, he would have drawn a sentence of up to 68 months, but Rosekrans proposed an alternative 29-month sentence.
Waldenberg had appealed that proposal and was out on bond.
He had signed a statement that he would not break the law and that doing so would result in his incarceration, Rosekrans said.
Rosekrans’ motion will be addressed July 13 in Jefferson County Superior Court.
Waldenberg could post bail before that time. Rosekrans said he will recommend that bail not be lowered.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.