Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Man sought in thefts misses court Robert Boone of Silvana is wanted on three separate stolen property charges By Diana Hefley Herald Writer SILVANA -- A man accused of stealing from his neighbors and hiding stolen urn markers in a doghouse is wanted by police after failing to show up for a court hearing on Monday. Robert Boone, 37, is charged with two counts of trafficking in stolen property and one count of possession of stolen property. He was scheduled to answer to those charges Monday but never made it to court. A Snohomish County judge issued a $30,000 warrant for his arrest. Meanwhile on Monday night, about 80 people met with Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick, deputy prosecutor Janice Albert and County Councilman John Koster to talk about the crime spree in their rural Silvana neighborhood. "I can hear the frustration in your voices," Lovick said. "What I hear coming from you tonight is enough is enough." Lovick told the crowd that deputies were searching for Boone on Monday night. He also asked neighbors to continue to look out for each other, report any suspicious activity and take other steps to prevent more crime. He promised extra patrols in the area. The promise drew applause from the crowd. "We want to make every effort so he doesn't slip through the cracks," said one man whose tools were stolen. "The more people are vigilant, the better." The Herald is withholding the neighbor's name to protect his identity. Boone served time in prison for stealing a wheelchair from a disabled woman. Since his release in 2006, police believe he has been on a one-man crime spree. Neighbors have reported the thefts of thousands of dollars' worth of tools, antiques and collectibles. Detectives also found stolen urn markers inside a doghouse when they raided the property where Boone lives with his mother. The nameplates were removed from the View Crest ­Abbey ­Mausoleum in Everett. They memorialized Inga Meyer, 1895-1969; Emily Louise Lods, 1887-1967; Marie E. Hesby, 1895-1968; and a marker shared by Alberta Harno, 1881-1954, and Otto P. Harno, 1879-1969. Police believe that, along with the nameplate for the Harnos, an urn that likely contained ashes also was stolen. The urn was broken and the ashes are gone. Relatives of Inga Meyer contacted sheriff's detective Jess Sanders, who was able to return the woman's marker. Sanders hopes other families will step forward to claim the remaining nameplates. Sanders believes Boone was going to attempt to recycle the markers for cash. Boone's mother reportedly told police he has a "theft problem and a drug problem," court documents show. Detectives reported finding a portable methamphetamine lab in a bag. If convicted, Boone could face up to nearly five years in prison, Albert told the judge on Monday. He has five adult felony convictions. He also was convicted of four felonies as a juvenile. Neighbors are frustrated that Boone has been allowed to stay in their community. "Why is this allowed to happen?" the burglary victim asked. Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

1. Girl's death in car crash stuns Granite Falls 2. 787 starts ‘final gantlet' of tests before first flight 3. Inmates to help families of police 4. Lewd baristas face stricter rules 5. Swine flu shots to be available to all in county 6. Woman who died in fire named 7. Roe picked as interim prosecutor 8. Gregoire's budget offers no easy way out of deficit 9. Payout of $44.7 million to clean up Asarco contamination in Everett 10. Roche Harbor's second derby a big hit 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Zambian woman thanks students for their help • Food banks see rise in use • ‘Making Spirits Bright’ in Edmonds • Wolfpack takes aim at state • Seahawks help students smile • 95 and still volunteering • Sno-King joined by local TV king • Veterans back for Wildcats • Lynnwood seeks to plug $2 million budget gap • Snohomish County offers the best and most affordable venues for conferen ... • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed