East County residents interrupt burglary, suspects at large

Two suspects fled scene, one pointed a rifle at the residents

June 13, 2017 7:00 pm
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PHOTO A man and woman burglarizing a Middle Satsop Road home Saturday evening fled the scene after being discovered by the property owners in this red 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. The car was abandoned at the end of a gated logging road off the West Shelton Matlock Road and the pair managed to escape on foot. Grays Harbor County Deputies believe they have identified a possible suspect, who may be connected to other recent burglaries in the area.
GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE PHOTO A man and woman burglarizing a Middle Satsop Road home Saturday evening fled the scene after being discovered by the property owners in this red 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. The car was abandoned at the end of a gated logging road off the West Shelton Matlock Road and the pair managed to escape on foot. Grays Harbor County Deputies believe they have identified a possible suspect, who may be connected to other recent burglaries in the area.

A man and a woman managed to elude deputies from Grays Harbor and Mason counties Saturday evening after they were caught burglarizing a residence on the 900 block of the Middle Satsop Road, brandished a rifle at the property owners, then led pursuing officers on a short chase that ended at a gated logging road.

According to Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate, residents of the home arrived to find a suspicious red car parked in their driveway. When they approached their home they saw a male and female leaving the home carrying several of the property owners’ personal items, including a firearm. The male suspect pointed the firearm at the homeowners before fleeing northbound toward Mason County. The homeowners were able to get a plate number and provide it to the 911 dispatch center.

Mason County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and shortly after a Mason County deputy saw the suspect vehicle around mile post 11 on the West Shelton Matlock Road. The chase went up a logging road that ended quickly at a gate. According to Shumate, the driver put the car in reverse as he and his female passenger exited the vehicle and fled on foot. The deputy had to take evasive action to avoid the moving but unoccupied suspect vehicle.

Additional deputies from Grays Harbor and Mason counties and the Mason County K9 unit came to the scene but were unable to locate the suspects.

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office impounded the suspect car, a 2003 Mitsubishi Galant, and executed a search warrant Sunday. Numerous stolen items from the Middle Satsop Road burglary were found, including the rifle. Deputies also located numerous items they believe are related to other burglaries from the area. Shumate said suspected drugs were also found in the vehicle. Deputies have established possible suspect information and are following up.