FERNDALE, Wash. — A Ferndale man remains in jail today, January 23rd, after being arrested January 15th suspected of several burglaries and thefts that occurred at the Custer Sportsman’s Club.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) said this week that several burglaries, thefts and attempted thefts occurred at the Custer Sportsmen’s Club shooting range facility, located at 3000 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, during December of 2020 and January of 2021. Power tools, firearm ammunition and ammunition magazines were stolen during at least 3 break-ins. There was also an attempted theft of a Kubota tractor worth $20,000. WCSO emphasized that no firearms were stolen during these break-ins.
An investigation by WCSO deputies led to the arrest of Skyler Paul Blanc, age 31, of Ferndale on January 15th. A vehicle Blanc was driving was stopped for a traffic offense in the 5900 block of Spruce Avenue that day and he was arrested due to probable cause for his arrest having been established during the investigation of the crimes.
Stolen items including 14 Glock and 31 H&K ammunition magazines were recovered according to court records.
Click for more information
Click for more information
Blanc was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail charged with 3 counts of 2nd degree burglary, 1 count of 1st degree theft of about $5400 in ammunition and equipment and 1 count of 1st degree attempted theft.
While in custody, according to WCSO and court records, Blanc confessed to the burglaries, thefts and attempted theft.
The investigation has also led to the discovery of other crimes (Thefts and Vehicle Prowls) in Whatcom County as well as potential other suspects. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are expected according to WCSO.
Jail records indicate he remained in custody this morning pending $10,000 bail.
Click for more information
Click for more information
At the time of his arrect, Blanc was awaiting trial in Whatcom Superior Court charged with suspicion of 1st degree stolen property trafficking and 2nd degree possession of stolen property stemming from crimes in October and November 2020 according to court records. He was out of custody on personal recognizance and scheduled to make a preliminary appearance in court yesterday on those charges.
Blanc has appeared multiple times in Whatcom Superior Court charged with suspicion of felony possession of controlled substance. He was found guilty of one charge in 2015 and had 3 charges in 2016 dismissed with prejudice after completing Community Drug Treatment Court in 2019 according to court records.
Blanc has appeared as a defendant in Whatcom County District and local municipal courts 33 times since 2006.
Discover more from Whatcom News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.