BY CHARLIE BERMANT
Peninsula Daily News
PORT HADLOCK — Two Kitsap County people arrested near Old Tarboo Lake Road with a cache of stolen property that included cars and electronics were the topic of a “Washington’s Most Wanted” episode.
Kristofer T. Nickerson, 32, of unincorporated Kitsap County, and Ericka L. Nitz, 25, of Bainbridge Island remained in the Jefferson County jail in Port Hadlock on Oct. 1 after they were arrested the previous day.
Jefferson County Sheriff Joe Nole has said the arrest broke up a theft ring.
The “Washington’s Most Wanted” segment, taped on Bainbridge Island on Sept. 14, aired that day and Sept. 24, according to David Rose, its executive producer and host for Q13 Fox News of Seattle.
The show, which Rose said has led to the capture of 571 fugitives since 2008, gets requests for help from local police departments.
In addition to the property officials believe was stolen in Jefferson County, the two are wanted in the investigation into a Sept. 13 car prowl in Bainbridge Island, according to “Washington’s Most Wanted,” which added that Nickerson also has an arrest warrant on theft in Thurston County.
Nickerson is being held in Jefferson County for investigation of second-degree theft-taking of a motor vehicle, criminal impersonation, making false or misleading statements to a public servant, first-degree possession of stolen property and a probation/supervision violation. Bail has been set at $75,000.
Nitz, 25, is being held for investigation of a controlled substance violation, second-degree theft-taking of a motor vehicle, first-degree possession of stolen property, third-degree possession of stolen property and making false/misleading statements to a public servant. Bail has been set at $10,000.
The two were found on a spur off Tarboo Lake Road after security guards employed by Pacific Mountain Products, which leases the land from Pope Resources, reported an illegal encampment.
When deputies arrived, Nickerson ran and was captured, while Nitz was taken into custody without incident, Nole said.
On site was a trailer that was reported stolen from a recreational-vehicle lot in Silverdale and a Toyota Tacoma truck that was reported stolen from Port Orchard, deputies said.
A third vehicle, a Honda, was not stolen, deputies said, but they suspect it was involved in the Sept. 27 theft from the Port Townsend Safeway of a maroon Mazda Protege, which is still missing.
“We can only speculate where the Mazda is at right now,” Port Townsend Police Officer Luke Bogues said on Oct. 1.
Recovered goods include two motor vehicles along with several iPads, iPods and cellphones, Nole said, adding that by Oct. 1, several of the items had been traced to a break-in on Mount Walker.
