Paradise area residents have been dealing with gas thefts, car prowls and property thefts much like residents in other area neighborhoods. But a recent series of crimes prompted several neighbors to come together to meet with representatives from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) and begin taking action.
A Crime Watch formation meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 6:30pm.
The tipping point occurred the morning of Wednesday, November 7th. Reports of vehicle prowls from the area began coming in around 6am according to What-Comm 911 radio dispatches. About the same time, according to an affidavit of probable cause document filed by prosecutor David Graham in Whatcom County Superior Court, a resident in the 1100 block of Paradise Road was woke by what he thought was his kids but instead found a stranger going through the family’s refrigerator in the kitchen. The man ran out of the house and WCSO deputies set up a perimeter around the neighborhood and began to track the suspect with a K9 unit.
Click for more information
Click for more informationThe suspect was ultimately located within nearby Woodlawn Cemetery, taken into custody and confirmed as the person seen in going through the refrigerator. He was identified as Scott Gary Victor Liles, age 27, and booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
It appeared he had also prowled a vehicle at the home, bagged some tools in an detached garage and went through an unlocked window into the residence before being found in the kitchen. Liles is awaiting trial for 1 count of residential burglary and 2 counts of 2nd degree burglary.
Further investigation revealed 10 vehicles had been prowled in the immediate area along with another burglary. Property was found in piles at several locations in the immediate area.
Paradise area neighbors who live in the Paradise neighborhood west of Woodlawn Cemetery are invited to attend the informational meeting.