Following a chase in downtown Aberdeen Monday evening, a deputy from the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Office arrested a man suspected to be involved in recent burglaries of numerous firearms in the area. At approximately 7:05 p.m., the deputy observed a white 1991 Honda Civic near Burger King that matched a description of one burglary suspect’s vehicle.

The deputy attempted to stop the Civic, but the suspect accelerated and fled, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The suspect, a 37-year-old homeless man from Montesano, then drove into the Aberdeen Right Aid parking lot before getting out to run away on foot. The deputy chased the suspect across G Street and into the parking area for Jack In The Box, where he was able to subdue the suspect and take him into custody. He was then transported to Grays Harbor County Jail and booked under suspicion of second-degree burglary, as well as failure to cooperate with police and resisting arrest.

According to Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate, the 37-year-old is one of at least three suspects involved in multiple burglaries that occurred in late December at residences in Montesano, Monte-Elma Road and near Central Park. There were many firearms stolen, along with other valuable goods, but authorities have been unable to locate where they are being stored. Shumate said this latest suspect will be beneficial toward solving the case.

“He was an integral part, but there were definitely more than just him committing these crimes,” said Shumate.

This arrest capped off what Shumate said was an unusually busy three-day holiday weekend for the Sheriff’s Office, which handled 178 calls requesting service. From the calls, deputies took 27 police reports, and arrested or charged 15 people. That number includes three arrested for domestic violence assaults or violations of no-contact orders, along with two felony arrests for first-degree assault and the aforementioned burglary.

The arrest for assault came Saturday in regards to a Jan. 6 incident, when a 27-year-old Neilton man allegedly fired a shotgun into the side of a vehicle. According to reports, an Elma man, 19, and a passenger had driven to Neilton to pick up a female subject from the suspect’s residence. The suspect was upset that the female was leaving, causing him to fire a round of buckshot at the vehicle. Neither of the car’s passengers were injured, but the suspect fled the residence soon after. Deputies did not locate the man until Jan. 13, when he had returned to the Neilton residence. He was then sent to the county jail under suspicion of first-degree assault.