The burglary rate on Camano Island usually drops with the temperature, but not this winter.
The island has been struck by 37 burglaries since October and roughly 140 for the year, up from the average of about 100 annually, Island County sheriff’s Cmdr. Mike Beech said.
The Island County Sheriff’s Office will hold a public meeting Wednesday to discuss the rash of burglaries.
“We just want to educate the public as far as what’s going on, to let them know that we are investigating,” Beech said. “We want to ask them to keep their eyes and ears open and to report any suspicious activity.”
Most of the burglaries have happened quickly. The crooks have stolen laptop computers, jewelry, flat-screen televisions and handguns, along with other items they can easily carry.
The sheriff’s office is concerned because many of the burglaries appear to be linked. Many happened during the daytime, and none have happened while people are home, Beech said. Investigators have found other evidence the crimes are linked, but Beech did not want to elaborate on those clues.
“We do have a couple of suspects,” he said. “Our belief is it’s probably two different groups of burglars who have been working the island.”
Some of the recent burglaries might be connected to burglaries earlier this year, he said.
Beech blames the rash of burglaries on drug users.
“I think all these property crimes are fueled by methamphetamine,” he said. “They need to steal stuff to get money to buy more drugs.”
The Island County Sheriff’s Office is holding a meeting on Camano Island to talk about recent burglaries. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Camano Community Center, 141 East Camano Drive N. For more information, call 360-679-7323. Call 911 if you see anything suspicious in your neighborhood.
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