Hoquiam Police arrested a 61-year-old Hoquiam man after he was found to be in possession of apparently stolen property including bonsai trees, potted plants, wind chimes and various yard and garden décor items.

A resident in the 2600 block of Cherry Street reported on two separate incidents, Oct. 20 and 22, packs of cigarettes had been stolen from his garage. According to Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers, the resident provided video that showed a man entering the garage both days, on the first occasion taking a large flashlight and a pack of cigarettes.

An officer recognized the suspect on video as an east Hoquiam resident. Officers contacted the suspect and he admitted to taking a flashlight from the residence; he also told officers where the stolen property was now located.

Hoquiam officers then went to the second location, where they were invited in by the homeowner, who retrieved numerous items left behind by the suspect, including the stolen flashlight, said Myers. As officers talked to the resident, they learned the suspect had previously also left bonsai trees, potted plants, wind chimes, landscape pots with decorative shrubs, a decorative rock, an angel statue and a carpet cleaner.

Officers were able to locate a police report of stolen bonsai trees from the 2600 block of Sumner Avenue; the recovered trees will now be returned to the rightful owner, said Myers

Officers discovered more items that may have been recently stolen at the suspect’s residence, including a lawnmower, old vinyl records, decorative tin plates, bird houses, garden gnomes and numerous potted plants. All in all, officers seized two truckloads of suspected stolen property, said Myers,

The suspect was booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail for residential burglary — additional burglary and theft charges may be added as additional victims are located, said Myers. The suspect was also charged in Hoquiam Municipal Court for possession of drug paraphernalia and may face felony drug charges for possession of methamphetamine pending test results from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, according to Myers.

Any citizens who may be missing potted plants or garden décor taken recently from the east side of Hoquiam are asked to contact Detective Ryan Pearson, 360-532-0892 ext. 102, or Detective Don Grossi, 360-532-0892 ext. 295.