Sheriff Bill Cumming issued this statement regarding the recent rash of burglaries on San Juan Island:

Over the past several months, San Juan Island has seen an increase in burglaries. Many of the burglaries have occurred at residences that are currently for sale and have “For Sale” signs on the property. All of the homes were unoccupied at the time. Some of the items taken are: electronic equipment, tools, wood stoves, cleaning equipment, food from the refrigerators and even a toilet.

As a precaution, please lock your doors and windows. Take note of any suspicious activity, vehicle or persons in your neighborhoods. Get to know your neighbors and communicate with each other. Let your neighbors know if your house will be unoccupied and for how long. Request that they notify the Sheriff’s Office of any suspicious activity.

The Sheriff’s Office is currently focusing on an individual who has a $100,000 arrest warrant for the theft of an automobile from San Juan Island and is suspect in the burglary of the residence where the vehicle was taken from. The individual is also wanted for questioning in numerous other burglaries mentioned above.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office, 378-4151, to talk to Detective Lach Buchanan, an on-duty deputy, or to Sheriff Cumming.