TACOMA — A Port Angeles woman who told an Olympic National Park ranger that she found a safe while kayaking at Lake Crescent is now facing four additional federal charges.
Michelle Madona Osborn was previously indicted on a single charge of residential burglary, but was recently indicted on three third-degree theft charges for stealing a kayak, life jacket and pipe; a wheelbarrow; and an axe. She is also indicted for third-degree possession of stolen property related to household items that were found in her vehicle.
Osborn’s trial had been set for last Monday, but her attorney has had “limited opportunity” to talk to Osborn to prepare for trial since Osborn had been in the Clallam County jail on unrelated charges.
U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton agreed to continue her trial date to Jan. 6.
On Aug. 9, rangers were notified of a burglary in progress on East Beach Road at private property within Olympic National Park.
When Ranger Matthew Bolin arrived there, he spotted Osborn pushing a blue wheelbarrow containing a safe, which was attached to a broken piece of particle board and partially concealed under a life jacket, according to court records.
When Bolin ordered her to stop and detained her, Osborn offered an explanation as to what she was doing.
“[I was] paddling in my kayak and I found the safe in the lake,” Osborn told the ranger, according to court documents.
The electronic safe and its contents did not show any sign of water damage.
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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.
