An eyewitness account of a break-in led to the arrest of Kayden Austin Haltom, 18, of Port Hadlock.

Haltom is charged with burglary, malicious mischief, possession of burglary tools, and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to 13 years in prison and $35,000 in fines plus restitution and assessments.

According to Port Townsend Police Officer Jon Stuart’s Probable Cause Report, he received a call on July 31 at 7:22 a.m. of a burglary in process at the San Juan Baptist Church on Discovery Road.

The witness stated seeing someone trying to break into a shed behind the church and also that the suspected burglar was believed to be living in a smaller shed on the church property.

“I arrived on the scene and began walking up to the small shed at an angle. As I approached, I saw a male subject’s head pop out from the door. I ordered the subject out of the shed and onto the ground. I noted he was wearing a camo jacket and black pants with a backwards hat. He complied and I detained him into handcuffs to the rear,” Stuart states in his report.

After identifying the man, he discovered drug paraphernalia in the shed and that it appeared that someone was staying in the shed. Stuart reports that Haltom told him Johnny Fowler was staying there, whom the eye witness had originally suspected of the crime.

Further investigation of the scene led to the discovery of broken padlocks on the small shed and a larger shop, along with some bolt cutters. While patting down his suspect, Stuart found brass knuckles and advised Haltom that he was not allowed to have them. He replied saying they sell them at the gas station, Stuart stated.

The officer noted security cameras on site and later contacted the church’s pastor Noel Muscutt, who reported that they had located a male sleeping in the shed and had recently placed a padlock on the shed to prevent further intrusion.

Stuart reports that upon reviewing the security footage, he identified the burglary suspect as Haltom.

The pastor stated that the church had recently been trying to help Haltom, however he did not have permission to be on the property.
A bench warrant was issued for Haltom’s arrest on Wednesday, Aug. 23.