Jefferson County Sheriff’s deputy Brandon Przygocki couldn’t resist asking burglary suspect James Ivan Hanson whether he was concerned about breaking into a building across the street from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO).

“While en route the very short distance [to the jail], I asked Hanson, ‘So, I have to know, weren’t you concerned about breaking into a building across the street from the sheriff’s office?’” Przygocki wrote in a case report. “The closer you are to danger, the further you are from harm, or something like that” is how Hanson responded, Przygocki wrote.

Hanson pleaded not guilty Dec. 16 in Jefferson County Superior Court to two counts of second-degree burglary and one count of first-degree theft in a burglary involving the East Jefferson Little League complex, which is on Elkins Road, within sight of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and county jail in Port Hadlock.

Hanson, 21, was released on his own recognizance. Jefferson Associated Counsel, Jefferson County’s public defense provider, was assigned to represent Hanson.

A hearing has been set for Feb. 24, with trial dates of March 6-7.

CRIME DISCOVERED

Kenny Yingling, East Jefferson Little League president, arrived at the clubhouse Dec. 5 and discovered that someone had burglarized the two-story clubhouse, office and equipment shop, with numerous items stolen. He told JCSO Sgt. Mark Apeland that the burglary had occurred sometime within the past three weeks.

Four exterior doors were damaged when they were forced open, and hand tools, power tools, remote controls for the scoreboard, concessions food (including popcorn, chili and soda) had been taken, as was a laptop computer and employee files, according to documents filed in Jefferson County Superior Court.

A makeshift bed was evident, and whoever had done it had “consumed quite a bit of food and soda,” Apeland reported.

Fingerprints were recovered from a file cabinet and on soda cans believed to have been consumed by the suspect.

Deputy Brett Anglin also recovered a handwritten letter from a storeroom near the makeshift bed as well as boot/shoe prints and ice cream sticks, which were swabbed for DNA.

At that point, damage to the building was estimated at more than $750, Apeland reported, and theft was estimated at between $700 and $5,000.

SUSPECT FOUND

Six days later, on Dec. 11, four deputies ventured over to the field on foot patrol, guessing that the suspect might be there. They checked during the day and noticed a door was not completely shut, so one deputy placed a straw in the crook of the door as a way of telling whether the door had been opened.

Two deputies returned in the wee hours of Dec. 12 and noted the door was completely closed; more deputies were summoned.

In addition to Przygocki, Capt. Mike Stringer, Detective Ryan Menday, and deputies Darrin Dotson and Adam Newman were on the scene.

“After a few verbal orders were announced, the first door to the right, a bathroom, opened, and a male subject exited. I immediately recognized the male to be James Hanson,” Przygocki said.

Przygocki said Hanson, a 2014 graduate of Quilcene High School, was read his rights and that Hanson started talking and seemed “to be pretty honest.”

Przygocki wrote in a report that Hanson said he was responsible for damage to the doors, and when asked why he had picked the clubhouse, Hanson allegedly stated, “It was easy.” Hanson allegedly told Przygocki that he had used his shoulder to open the door and had gone in “because it was warm inside.” Hanson denied drinking beer, but said he had been drinking all of the Dr Pepper soda. Hanson also told Przygocki that he was currently homeless, according to court documents.

Hanson further told Przygocki that he had taken some items and hidden them among trees down an embankment along Chimacum Road. He also allegedly said it was going to be his last time coming into the building and he was bringing some stuff back “because he began to feel some remorse.”

“Hanson stated he was going to leave a note stating it was his last time and that he was sorry. Hanson asked, ‘Have you ever looked at something you’ve done and realize how bad it was?’” Przygocki’s report stated.