Power tools come up missing in recent thefts

POULSBO — Noll Road resident Mike Kotzin thought when tools were stolen from his plank shed earlier this month that the worst was over.

But instead, his home was hit by burglars the next two nights. Only after Kotzin had his dogs sleep in the shed did the thefts finally stop.

This week, Kotzin wants all of his neighbors to know of the threat.

“They’re just coming in like parasites and hitting this area and the interesting thing is they’re hitting more than one night. That’s pretty brazen,” Kotzin commented.

The three-night burglary of the Kotzin residence is one of 14 residential burglaries between May 1-21 within the greater Poulsbo area that the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department is now investigating. Incidents occurred in areas like Noll Road, Miller Bay Estates, Clear Creek and Lemolo Shore Drive. Spokesperson Deputy Scott Wilson said most of the thefts are believed to be related.

“We’re trying to find the commonalities in these burglaries and trying to figure out where these things are going to,” Wilson explained of the ongoing investigation.

The majority of the incidents involved unattached structures like sheds, carports, shops and barns. Items taken were mainly tools, both pneumatic and electric, that were of the construction-industry variety.

Wilson explained that this time of year, these types of tools are in demand at both pawn shops and on the construction “black market.” He added that individuals who usually perpetuate such crimes are looking for quick cash, often to buy drugs. Sometimes such people even burglarize construction sites where employees leave their tools after the work day.

The sad reality, Wilson added, is that most of the items never find their way back into their owners’ hands.

“There’s no way we can keep an eye on everybody who swings a hammer,” he said.

But there is a way that tool owners can protect themselves. Wilson said he recommends that anyone buying power tools:

•Record the make, model and serial number of their tools and keep the information in a safe place

•Use a stenciling or etching pen to mark their items with an easily-identifiable marking

•If the item is stolen, make a police report and furnish officials with this identification information

Wilson also urged the use of “locking in depth” for anyone wishing to avoid being burglarized — whether it be their car, home or outbuilding. For instance, with a car this means locking your car doors at night, not leaving valuable items in plain sight inside the vehicle and parking it inside a garage if you have one. Wilson said layering the safety around a valuable item is the best precaution someone can take.

“That’s just going to make it that much tougher to get in there and they’re going to go somewhere that’s a lot easier,” he said.

Kotzin said after having his items stolen three nights in a row, he decided to call Brinks and have a home security system installed.