'Goldilocks' Car Prowler Found Sleeping in Victim's Truck

Lake Cushman, WA - A Shelton man is in jail this morning charged with three counts of Vehicle Prowl in the 2nd Degree and one count of Residential Burglary. Jay D. James, 32, Shelton, was arrested yesterday after two Lake Cushman residents reported their cars being prowled. One of the residents found the suspect sleeping in the rear seat of his quad cab pick-up as he checked it to determine what was missing. The alarmed vehicle owner woke James up using his walking stick. James quickly exited the vehicle and ran away into the woods. The resident was able to provide Sheriff’s Deputies with a good description of the suspect.

When Deputies responded to the area they found trails of items belonging to the suspect and the victims leading from one vehicle to the next. As the deputies proceeded with investigation and the search for the suspect, they received a report of breaking glass and pounding at a nearby residence. Upon checking that residence the officers found a fresh burglary, but no suspect. Deputies found additional evidence suggesting the burglary suspect was also the person who had committed the vehicle prowls.

More Deputies were summoned to the area to assist with the search for the suspect. A short time later an alert Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle driving out of the area of the incidents. The deputy noticed the passenger in the vehicle matched the suspect’s description. While the individual was detained one of the victims came to the scene and identified the suspect as the car prowler. Deputies also found items on the suspect tying him to the crimes.

Chief Deputy Dean Byrd tells KBKW, James is currently in custody and awaiting his first court appearance, expected to occur sometime today.