Bicyclist suspected in string of home burglaries

A 46-year-old suspect remained in the Clark County Jail on Wednesday night, more than a week after being arrested while riding a bicycle he allegedly stole during what police said was one of several home burglaries.

Harold Jack Akey, address unknown, was being held without bail on suspicion of four counts of residential burglary and one count each of possessing stolen property and identity theft, a jail employee said. Akey was also being held for an alleged community custody violation of sentencing terms from an earlier conviction. He is scheduled to appear in court Nov. 3.

Vancouver police Cpl. Stu Hemstock spotted Akey about 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19, riding a bicycle while carrying a backpack and duffel bag in the 2000 block of East 29th Street, police spokeswoman Kim Kapp said Wednesday. That is near St. Johns Boulevard and the Rose Village neighborhood.

Hemstock, a former police detective now assigned to patrol, spoke with Akey and noticed he had dried blood on his hands. Akey was suspected of breaking a home’s window during a burglary and cutting his hand, Kapp said.

A corrections officer heard the radio traffic about Hemstock’s call, came to the scene and determined Akey was on probation. The corrections officer, with legal authority to look into the bags Akey was carrying, found stolen property, Kapp said.

Two of the burglaries had been reported the previous evening at homes north of Southwest Washington Medical Center and south of Northeast Burton Road.

Stolen items included a checkbook, jewelry, knives, coins, a camera and the expensive road-racing bicycle Akey was riding, Kapp said.

Like these two home break-ins, many occur during the day while the owners are at work, and are discovered when the owners return home, Kapp said.