OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A woman is facing a federal residential burglary charge after a ranger from Olympic National Park caught her pushing a wheelbarrow with one person’s safe in it at someone else’s home at Lake Crescent.
Michelle Madona Osborn appeared in U.S. District Court in Tacoma on Monday and was charged by complaint with a single count of residential burglary.
Friday evening rangers were notified of a burglary in progress on East Beach Road at private property within Olympic National Park.
When Ranger Matthew Bolin arrived there, he spotted Osborn pushing a blue wheelbarrow containing a safe, which was attached to a broken piece of particle board and partially concealed under a life jacket, court records say.
When Bolin ordered her to stop and detained her, Osborn offered an explanation as to what she was doing.
“[I was] paddling in my kayak and I found the safe in the lake,” Osborn told the ranger, according to court documents.
The electronic safe and its contents did not show any sign of water damage.
The back seat of Osborn’s vehicle was filled to the roof with household goods, including bedding, clothing and gas cans, according to the complaint.
Clearly visible in the front passenger compartment of the vehicle were three glass pipes with burnt residue, lengths of chain, a swivel, a thimble, a spring link and an axe, the complaint continued.
When officers frisked Osborn, a large Kelly Hanson glove, for the right hand, fell out of her clothing.
The owner of the home had a security camera in place that alerted her to a person trespassing on her property at about 3:13 p.m. Friday, and she immediately called 9-1-1.
The property owner told the ranger that while the wheelbarrow belonged to her, the safe and kayak did not belong to her.
Later that night, rangers learned that the safe and kayak belonged to a couple who owned a nearby home.
When ranger’s visited the neighbors’ home the next day they found a Kelly Hanson black glove, for the left hand, in the middle of the driveway. Inside the home was a broken particle board shelf in a closet.
The owner was able to open the safe and was able to identify other small items that were found in Osborn’s possession.
Osborn was remanded into custody until her detention hearing, which is scheduled for Friday. A preliminary examination is scheduled for Aug. 26.
________
Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.
