Investigations continue into a recent series of burglaries, car prowls, and thefts that occurred in the Forks area during the month of December.

On the evening of 12/07/2011 and continuing into the early morning hours of 12/08/2011, Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies and Forks Police Officers responded and initiated criminal investigations into a series of car prowls, thefts, and a burglary that occurred in the Evergreen Loop, Page Road, and Valley View neighborhoods. Additionally, on the morning of 12/08/11, Forks Police Officers and Clallam County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of the burglary of the Smokehouse Restaurant.

On 12/14/2011 Forks Police Officers responded to the residential burglary on Danielson Road.

Partnerships were immediately established between the investigating law enforcement agencies, the public, and the crime victims. As a result of everyone’s efforts, a number of suspects and persons of interests potentially responsible for the crimes were identified.

On 12/15/2011 a search warrant was obtained and executed at a residence on Maris Boulevard, in the greater Valley View neighborhood. Deputies and Officers, assisted by the Washington State Patrol and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, discovered property from Danielson Road burglary, unlawfully possessed prescription medication, and items of drug paraphernalia.

During the course of the investigations, numerous items of stolen property have been recovered. Items recovered include, but are not limited to, a laptop computer, two handguns, a chainsaw, a credit card, US currency, and bank checks.

The joint investigations, thus far, have led to the arrests of 22 year old Forks resident Tyeson F. Lagambina and Elijah R. Daniels. Both are currently incarcerated at the Clallam County Jail on charges as a result of to the aforementioned investigations. Agencies have arrested several other persons, believed to have been involved or have knowledge of the investigations, on a variety of unrelated charges.

Additional arrests are anticipated as Deputies and Officers continue their investigations.

The Forks Police Department and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department are committed to Community Policing through partnerships with the citizens and businesses in our community; the basic concept of Community Policing is to bring together law enforcement and the public to work as a team in an effort to improve the community in which we all live. Community policing is an effective and proactive process which has proven to reduce crime, improve communication between the public and law enforcement, as well as reduce the fear of crime.

The success of the investigations highlights the continued interagency cooperation between the Forks Police Department, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department, Washington State Patrol, and Jefferson County Sheriffs Department. Agencies agree that if it were not for the support of the public, the crime victims and the numerous tips received, the outcome may have been different.