FERNDALE, Wash. — 2 men are currently in custody accused of attempting to burglarize a property that had video evidence of a burglary that happened about 6 hours earlier.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) Spokesperson Deb Slater told Whatcom News via email that about 7:15pm on August 28th, deputies were dispatched to a report of a burglary that had occurred earlier in the 1800 block of Birch Bay-Lynden Road. The victim provided deputies with a video showing a light blue van entering the property and a male taking tools from a locked shop.
Later, about 2am on August 29, deputies responded to a report of a burglary in progress at the same location and the vehicle matched the description from the previous incident. The victim, who was hiding nearby, watched as the 2 men approached a locked building and tried to remove a padlock to gain entry.
The victim came out of hiding and told the 2 men to get on the ground. Instead, the men fled to the parked van and took off. The victim said that as they drove away, he was struck by the van’s passenger-side mirror.
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Click for more informationThe van was located soon after by Blaine Police and WCSO deputies with the 2 men inside.
Samual Paul Belles, age 22, and Trenton Dean Pope, age 36, both of Blaine, were arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail. Belles was charged with suspicion of 2nd degree attempted burglary and Pope was charged with suspicion of 2nd degree attempted burglary in addition to 2nd degree assault with a vehicle.
As of 4pm on August 30th, both suspects remained in custody pending being able to post $15,000 bonds or $1,500 cash.
Pope has prior convictions for felony possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary, theft and harassment in Whatcom County Superior Court.
Belles was out on bond while awaiting trial on felony assault, theft of a vehicle, burglary, malicious mischief and attempting to elude police charges in other cases before Whatcom County Superior Court. He has prior convictions for felony malicious mischief, motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and trafficking in stolen property.