Two Olympia men have been arrested for allegedly stealing timber from a private property near the Little Quilcene River.

The pair felled three trees that had “figured” or “quilted” maple, a wood which is highly sought for furniture and musical instruments. The owner of the property told authorities he had consulted with a tree expert, who placed a value of $20,000 on the trees.

The property owner called authorities after discovering the timber theft near Big Leaf Lane and Wildwood Road, and told a deputy that the thieves had returned and he could hear a chainsaw being used on his land.

A deputy found a Toyota pickup truck parked near the property on Wildwood Road, and found two men — later identified as Matthew Michael Queirolo, 41, and Joseph Richard Thompson, 37 — at the wood theft site.

Queirolo and Thompson said they had permission to cut the trees from the adjacent land owner, and added they thought they were on her property.

The deputy determined that the pair had walked past surveyor flagging that marked the line between the two properties, as well as survey stakes that had been installed.

Queirolo and Thompson made their first appearance in Jefferson County Superior Court Jan. 23.

Both face a single charge of first-degree theft of something other than a firearm with a value exceeding $5,000.

The pair were advised of their rights and asked that a public defender be appointed to represent them.

Judge Keith Harper agreed.

During a discussion on bail, Deputy Prosecutor Chris Ashcraft noted Queirolo’s long criminal history, which included residential burglary.

“He has about 15 prior convictions and about the same amount of warrants,” Ashcraft said.

Since the allegations did not involve a violent crime, however, Ashcraft said the prosecutor’s office was not recommending bail.

Bail was also not sought for Thompson, but both men were ordered to have no contact with the victim, to not return to the property where they were arrested, and to return to court when ordered.

Conviction of first-degree theft can result in a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.