Suspect awaits formal charges
A 31-year-old Twisp man remained in the Okanogan County Jail Tuesday (Sept. 29) after his arrest Thursday on suspicion of burglary, theft, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer, according to jail records.
Twisp Police Chief Paul Budrow made the arrest after what he referred to at the Sept. 22 Twisp Town Council meeting as a “semi-active crime spree.”
“It seems to be one person going through the town pretty rapidly, usually on foot,” Budrow said.
The rash of burglaries had Twisp residents and business owners on edge.
“We don’t feel safe,” said Nicky Krost, co-owner of the Glover Street restaurants Lupo Brio and 1908 BBQ & Bourbon, in a Sept. 22 interview, two days before the arrest. “We’re thinking of spending the night in our businesses.”
A security camera photo from one of the restaurants, posted on Facebook, showed a man in a black hoodie and mask who appeared to be breaking into the till.
Nicky and Tyler Krost called 911 four times over a six-day span, related to three incidents at Lupo Brio and one at 1908. A suspect took all the money out of Lupo Brio’s till during the first burglary, Krost said. All the break-ins occurred between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.
“Police circling the block late at night would be a deterrent,” Krost said.
Krost spoke to the town council on Sept. 22, asking for more funding and more officers for the Twisp Police Department. For now, Budrow is the only officer on staff, although he said he anticipates hiring a second officer in the next month or two.
“We live in a beautiful, safe community, but it’s not feeling so safe anymore,” Krost told the council.
She said she will talk to the Twisp Chamber of Commerce in October about starting an overnight community watch in downtown Twisp.
The suspect had not been formally charged as of Tuesday morning. A court filing from Monday (Sept. 28) indicated that charges must be announced by Thursday (Oct. 1) or the “defendant shall be released and deemed exonerated from all conditions.”
The Methow Valley News is not naming the defendant unless charges are filed.
In the meantime, the Okanogan County Superior Court found probable cause to hold the defendant in jail on charges of third-degree theft, second-degree burglary, third-degree assault and resisting arrest. Bail was set at $5,000.
Theft in the third degree is a misdemeanor and may involve stealing cash or property valued at $750 or less. Resisting arrest is also a misdemeanor. Second-degree burglary and assaulting a police officer are felonies. The burglary charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
