Washougal police arrest two suspected of stealing packages

Washougal police officers arrested two people Tuesday after reports they were following a UPS Inc. truck around the city, and police said they found them with stolen property.

A 1990s light-blue Ford Explorer was seen following a UPS truck as it was making deliveries in Washougal around 2 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Responding officers searched the area and stopped the vehicle around the 700 block of G Street. No one saw the two inside the Explorer take any packages, but during the investigation, officers found stolen property.

Officers arrested Danielle Rose Smith-Swanson, 29, of Portland, and James Edward Martin, 70, of Battle Ground, on suspicion of third-degree theft and possession of stolen property. Martin also faces a charge of possession of a dangerous weapon, and Smith-Swanson faces additional charges of possession of a controlled substance while driving and driving with a suspended license.

The stolen items, which the Washougal Police Department described as Christmas gifts, were returned to their owners. The department said Tuesday was the second time in a week Washougal officers have made arrests related to the theft of delivered packages.

The department advised residents expecting deliveries to take steps to keep them safe, such as having them delivered to their workplace or to a neighbor who is home.