PORT TOWNSEND — A Port Townsend man accused of burglarizing a downtown business was released on his own recognizance Wednesday after a judge determined that his strong ties to the community prevented him from being a flight risk.
Graham Thomas Welch, 25, was arraigned on one count each of second-degree burglary, second-degree possession of stolen property and third-degree malicious mischief.
Welch, the son of a former Port Townsend mayor, pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, which originated from a Tuesday burglary of the Green Eyeshade, a kitchen supply store located at 720 Water St.
His trial is scheduled for March 16-17. Pretrial hearings are scheduled Jan. 23, Feb. 20 and March 6.
The Green Eyeshade burglary was the second such incident in four days.
During a break-in last Friday night at Don’s Pharmacy, 1151 Water St., about 1,000 pills, many of them controlled substances, were stolen.
Port Townsend Police Officer Patrick Fudally said Wednesday that officers were considering a possible connection between the two crimes but have found none.
The investigation into the pharmacy burglary is continuing, he said.
James Kennedy, deputy prosecuting attorney, asked Superior Court Judge Keith Harper to set a $25,000 bond due to Welch’s “possible involvement in another incident.”
Public Defender Scott Charlton, who was acting as Welch’s attorney, argued against that assertion.
Harper agreed.
“Mr. Welch has strong ties to the community, and I don’t believe he is a flight risk,” Harper said.
Welch said in court that his father grew up in the community. He is the son of former Mayor Mark Welch.
While about $100 in cash and some kitchen items were stolen, Welch was apprehended with several CO2 canisters containing nitrous oxide that police believe came from the store, according to a probable-cause statement prepared by Officer Luke Bogues.
Welch was found with the canisters along with a red whipped cream dispenser, which can be used to inhale gas that produces a high, the police report said.
A complete list of the stolen items is still being compiled, the report said.
The maximum penalties for all of the charges faced by Welch would be 12 years’ imprisonment and $12,000 in fines, according to the charging documents.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.