Sheriff’s Office conducts ‘Operation Grinch’

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Detectives with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office arrested three suspects last week for allegedly stealing packages from people’s property as part of a “bait package” operation.

Detective Derek Allen has been placing packages that are under surveillance by the Sheriff’s Office at residences, commercial businesses and near mail boxes on the street throughout the county to see if they are stolen.

Since the start of what they call “Operation Grinch,” deputies have arrested three people for stealing the packages.

They have seen another three “Good Samaritans,” pick up packages that were placed near the street to return them to the addressed owners.

On Dec. 7 a 35-year-old Port Hadlock man, Steven R. Pierce, was arrested after deputies stopped him on his bicycle with the package under his arm. Pierce claimed the package was his and that he had just picked it up. Pierce was booked into the JCSO jail.

Later that day, a 48-year-old Port Hadlock man, Patrick S. Hundtoft, was arrested after deputies contacted him at the QFC in Hadlock. Hundtoft was delivering newspapers for the Peninsula Daily News at the time and initially denied having the package. Hundtoft was booked into JCSO after the package was found in his car.

On Dec. 14 a 26-year-old Kingston woman, Ashley M. Lay, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant after deputies stopped her and 23-year-old Harold S. Peacock of Port Hadlock in their vehicle for theft of the package. Deputies found the package contents in the trunk of the car. Charges will be forwarded to the prosecutor for the driver, Peacock, for theft of the package. Peacock initially told deputies he had obtained the item from a family member several days prior.

Detectives plan to continue placing the bait packages around the county and hope that knowledge of them prevents more thefts, Allen said.

“Do not get things delivered to your residence if you aren’t going to be home to receive them,” Allen said. “Track your items. Make sure there’s a responsible adult there to receive your packages.”