ABERDEEN, WA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police are pursuing charges against multiple individuals in two separate cedar theft incidents uncovered last week in the Aberdeen area.

WDFW Officer McOmber initially responded to a report of trespassing on private property outside of Aberdeen. Upon arrival, he located a vehicle hidden behind trees on a side road. Although the vehicle was unoccupied, it contained several tools. A search of the nearby area led Officer McOmber to two suspects hiding behind a large stump.

As the individuals were ordered to return to a nearby clearcut, Officer McOmber detected the smell of fresh cedar. A continued search revealed a chainsaw, axe, gloves, and several freshly cut cedar blocks. Initially, the suspects denied involvement, claiming the tools and wood were already there, but later admitted they intended to sell the cedar for profit.

The tools and cedar were seized, and the suspects are expected to face charges including trespassing, attempted theft, unlawful harvesting of specialized forest products without a permit, and littering.

Shortly after handling that case, Officer McOmber received a tip from a Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s deputy regarding another cedar theft. Surveillance footage showed multiple vehicles entering a property through an unsecured gate and stealing cedar blocks. The tip led officers to a residence where large cedar blocks were visible from the road.

Upon contact, the resident confessed to taking the wood and consented to a search. A substantial quantity of stolen cedar, valued at over $2,500, was recovered and returned to the company contractors.

The suspect will face multiple charges including second-degree theft, forest products violations, and trespassing.

WDFW officials reminded the public that harvesting forest products without proper authorization is illegal and will be prosecuted.