Five college students arrested in wine heist

Associated Press

WALLA WALLA — Five Whitman College students have been arrested in the theft of more than $34,000 worth of wine from Woodward Canyon winery in Lowden.

Walla Walla County sheriff’s deputies, acting on a tip, recovered more than 70 12-bottle cases of cabernet sauvignon and merlot and a 15-gallon keg of sauvignon blanc from the apartment shared by Reginald D. Campbell, 20, of Issaquah, and Jeffrey A. Stokes, 22, of Redmond, deputy Scott Brashear said Tuesday.

Campbell and Stokes told deputies the wine was brought to their apartment early Oct. 3.

"They suspected something wasn’t quite right, but they didn’t ask," Brashear said.

The two provided information that led to the arrest of three other students: Peter B. Jostrom, 20, of Kalispell, Mont.; Nathan B. Brandow, 22, of Olympia; and David J. McBride, 22, of Seattle.

The three were booked into the county jail over the weekend for investigation first-degree theft and second-degree burglary, Brashear said.

McBride was released on $5,000 bail Tuesday, and Jostrom and Brandow were released on $5,000 bail Monday. Campbell and Stokes were booked for investigation of first-degree possession of stolen property and released on their own recognizance.

There was no sign of forced entry — only an open door — at the Woodward Canyon building where the wine was stored, Brashear said. The theft is believed to have occurred Oct. 1 or 2.