Man arrested in Battle Ground vehicle prowl, more suspects sought

Battle Ground police officers working as part of emphasis patrols aimed at curbing a spate of vehicle prowls in the city arrested a man Wednesday early morning, and officials are reminding motorists to lock their cars and put away anything they wouldn’t want stolen.

The Battle Ground Police Department said officers on bikes, on foot and in undercover vehicles have been making focused patrols of certain parts of the city that have seen a rash of vehicle break-ins. During one patrol, officers contacted several victims and caught up with a potential suspect.

Officers located a suspect — Joshua A. Boespflug, 29, of Battle Ground — as he was walking down Main Street east of state Highway 503. Boespflug had a loaded handgun on him at the time, the police said.

He was taken into custody in connection to a vehicle prowl without incident.

Boespflug was arrested pending charges of felony vehicle prowling, illegal possession of a firearm and theft of a firearm.

Investigators are looking for additional suspects. City spokeswoman Bonnie Gilberti said it was unclear whether the theft Boespflug was arrested for and any of the other break-ins are somehow related, but she encouraged people to make a habit of removing valuables from their vehicles and locking the doors.