KITSAP COUNTY - Five people have been arrested and four more are being sought in a suspected burglary and theft ring responsible for more than 100 break-ins at Bainbridge Island and North Kitsap homes, mailboxes and vehicles that netted the thieves items valued at more than $250,000.

Among those in jail is a former Kitsap Sun contract newspaper delivery person, and among the evidence recovered by Kitsap County sheriff's detectives were Sun delivery route lists that indicated vacation dates for Sun delivery customers. It's believed that the thieves used the vacation lists to identify their victims and break into their houses when it was known they would be away.

"Evidence discovered during the course of the investigation included newspaper delivery route lists, for the Kitsap Sun newspaper, indicating newspaper recipients' vacation dates," the statement said. "Two of the arrested suspects delivered newspapers for the Kitsap Sun in the North Kitsap area."

The former contractor, 23-year-old Paul Eugene Woods of Suquamish, was arrested Thursday and was charged Friday in Kitsap County Superior Court with first-degree possession of stolen property, first-degree trafficking in stolen property and forgery, according to a statement released Saturday afternoon by the sheriff's office.

Woods posted bail the same day but was re-arrested Saturday for investigation of first-degree identity theft and unlawful possession of a payment device, the statement said.

Woods has been a contractor for the Kitsap Sun since last October, said Charles Horton, director of audience development for the Sun. His contract was terminated Thursday when he failed to show up for work, Horton added.

Also arrested and charged was 32-year-old Tina Louise Wallace of Suquamish, who was identified by a Sun manager as Woods' girlfriend.

Wallace was charged with identity theft and possession of methamphetamine, the statement said. She remains in custody without bail for violating her parole on a past offense and for investigation of first-degree trafficking in stolen property, first-degree possession of stolen property, forgery and possession of methamphetamine.

Three other suspects, all male Poulsbo residents, were arrested Friday morning and remain in the Kitsap County jail.

The spree of thefts — which included more than 50 residential burglaries and more than 100 mailbox thefts and vehicle prowls — is believed to have started at least in early January. The crimes are believed to have taken place in all North Kitsap communities and on Bainbridge Island.

Detectives have recovered about $75,000 worth of stolen items, including high-end electronic equipment, computer systems, video-game systems, iPods, cameras, jewelry, firearms and antiques, according to the sheriff's office.

A break in the case came with a vehicle stolen during the burglaries was recovered and identified in Lakewood, the sheriff's statement said.

Those who have information about the crimes, or are theft victims looking to recover stolen equipment, are asked to call Sheriff's Detective Steve Duckworth at (360) 337-5669 or Detective Lori Blankenship at (360) 337-5615. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers Of Puget Sound at 1-(800)-Crime-13.

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