PORT TOWNSEND — Two people face trial on charges of burglary and possession of stolen property.
Police said they found, during their investigation of the two, property stolen from three homes and one car during the past two months.
David Lawrence Bernal, 33, faces a Jan. 20 trial, while a trial date of Dec. 22 has been set for Kihya Irene Lawson, 23, of Port Townsend. Both trials are in Jefferson County Superior Court.
Bernal will be tried on one count each of residential burglary, second-degree possession of stolen property, unlawful possession of payment instruments and possession of another person’s identification, according to court records.
Lawson faces trial on one count each of residential burglary, second-degree possession of stolen property, third-degree possession of stolen property, criminal trespass in the third degree and vehicle prowling in the second degree, court records say.
Bernal, who was arrested Oct. 16, has been released from jail after posting $5,000 bail.
Authorities describe him as a transient who alternately lives in Port Townsend, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
Lawson, who was arrested Oct. 19, remains in custody in the Jefferson County jail on $2,500 bail.
Bernal is charged in a Sept. 25 residential burglary at 1406 10th St. in Port Townsend, said Port Townsend Police Officer Luke Bogues, department spokesman.
Lawson is charged in an Oct. 5 home burglary at 2964 Jackman St. in Port Townsend, Bogues said.
Bogues said Bernal was contacted late last month by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputies who found him in possession of property stolen during a Sept. 21 burglary in the 1000 block of Hendricks Street.
A few days later, city officers investigated a report of people illegally occupying an abandoned home at 945 Calhoun St. and found that Bernal and Lawson were staying in the home, Bogues said.
More stolen property from the Hendricks Street burglary was recovered from the abandoned house, Bogues said.
During Lawson’s post-arrest interview, the investigating officer said he noticed she was wearing stolen jewelry from an Oct. 5 burglary in the 2900 block of Jackman Street, Bogues said.
Bogues added that Lawson was also found to be in possession of a cellphone stolen Sept. 23 from a car parked near the Port Townsend Post Office.
Since Sept. 1, the Port Townsend Police Department has received reports of 24 burglaries/prowls and 62 reported thefts, Bogues said.
“These are thefts of all sorts, from lawn gnomes to shoplifters,” he said.
Bogues said many of the recent thefts occurred in unsecured places.
Police found that some buildings and vehicles had been unlocked at the time of the break-in.
In some cases, hidden spare keys were used to gain entry to the premises.
Bogues urged that people secure their property and pay attention to those around them.
“We’re asking people to help be our eyes and ears,” he said.
“If you see something suspicious, call 9-1-1. If you’re the victim of a crime, even a minor one, tell us so we know where to focus our patrol efforts.”
Anyone with information about burglaries or stolen property is asked to phone the Police Department at 360-385-2322.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.