Local man arrested after foiled break-in attempt

A Langley man was arrested Sunday as a suspect in two attempted burglaries of Langley businesses, Langley Police Chief Bob Herzberg said Monday.

The suspect was literally caught red handed.

Scott Watts was taken into custody the night of April 6 after police found blood near a broken window at the scene of the break-in and heard a man shouting nearby.

The owner of Quilting by the Sea called 911. While on the phone with the dispatcher, the owner yelled at Watts, who continued to attempt to get into the shop, Herzberg said.

“He was pretty brazen to continue after being yelled at to stop,” Herzberg said.

Langley Police Officer Dave Marks responded within two minutes of being dispatched.

“He arrived and basically heard a male yelling in the area,”

Herzberg said. “Marks tracked him down and found him with a bloodied hand.”

Marks arrested the 25-year-old man with assistance from Island County Sheriff’s Office deputies. He was booked into Island County Jail and then released, Herzberg said.

The suspect has had run-ins with Langley police before, Herzberg added.

Nothing was taken from Quilting by the Sea.

“No actual entry was made. Officer Marks discovered that the suspect did reach inside to unlock the door,” Herzberg said. “He got it open about three inches but a piece of furniture had prevented opening the door any further.”

The same man is suspected of breaking into the South Whidbey Commons on Sunday night.

“Electronics were handled, disturbed and possibly broken,”

Herzberg said, adding that evidence was collected at the site of the second break-in.

“Blood stains were collected at both scenes and will be sent to the crime lab for comparison,” he said. “We can’t tie the two burglaries together until we get the blood samples back.”

Herzberg also suspects that some people in the Langley community may know who has been responsible for recent burglaries in the area but are not reporting it.

“It’s the old peer protection, peer pressure thing going on here,” he said. “It’s kind of funny that people within this same age group hold no jobs and yet, they still reside here.”

A residential burglary was reported Saturday; tools and a weed trimmer were stolen from an unlocked garage of a home. It did not appear to be related to the attempted commercial burglaries and there was no suspect information, Herzberg said.

“We’re asking the public to secure their property; to properly light their property,” Herzberg said.

“If they see something suspicious or out of place, call it in. Don’t wait; don’t hesitate,” he said.

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