Olympia police: Man went on west-side vehicle prowling spree

An Olympia man is facing charges related to a vehicle prowling spree that hit dozens of vehicles on the city’s west side since January.

Christopher Ryan Camus, 30, appeared Friday in Thurston County Superior Court where bail was set for $20,000 and arraignment was set for March 22.

The Olympia Police Department reports that at least 46 vehicles have been broken into since Jan. 1 near Capital Mall.

Police obtained photos of the suspect — later identified as Camus — using a stolen debit card Feb. 29 at an ATM. Another victim used an app to trace her stolen iPhone to an apartment complex in the 1300 block of Fern Street.

Camus was arrested March 10 at his mother’s apartment where he had been staying. While searching the suspect’s room, officers identified stolen paperwork and property belonging to 29 people, according to Olympia police.

Camus admitted to prowling more than 30 vehicles since mid-January, mostly around Capital Mall and Black Lake Boulevard, according to court documents. He accessed most of the vehicles by smashing a window. He also admitted to targeting the Evergreen Christian Church parking lot during Sunday services.

Camus told officers that he burglarized vehicles whenever he needed money to support his methamphetamine and gambling habits, documents show. He told police he would sell the identification cards, checkbooks and other paperwork to people for money and drugs.

So far, Camus has been charged with first-degree forgery/identity theft, second-degree possession of stolen property, and second-degree theft.

Police report that Camus has been linked to at least eight vehicle prowls. He was arrested on 13 counts of possession of stolen property and 10 counts of identity theft. The case is under investigation and additional charges are expected to be filed later, according to police.

This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 5:13 PM with the headline "Olympia police: Man went on west-side vehicle prowling spree."