SEQUIM – Clallam County sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man for alledgedly stealing a heat pump attached to a house.

Yesterday, deputies responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle at a residence north of Sequim. They discovered someone forcefully removed a heat pump that was still attached to the house.

The suspect’s truck was found next to the driveway of the residence, stuck in the ditch with the heat pump lying a few feet away. The truck was registered to Edward J. Bittick.

But while deputies processed the crime scene for evidence, Bittick called the sheriff’s office to report his truck stolen. Bittick was interviewed regarding the incident and ultimately took responsibility for trying to steal the heat pump. Bittick admitted he attempted to flee the area in his truck but drove into the ditch.

Bittick was arrested and booked into the Clallam County Jail on theft, malicious mischief and criminal trespass charges.