Golf addiction leads to Kirkland man’s arrest

A 26-year-old Kirkland man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly burglarizing a golf course shop in May and stealing 40-50 golf clubs as the result of a golf "addiction," according to Bremerton Police.

A 26-year-old Kirkland man was arrested Wednesday after allegedly burglarizing a golf course shop in May and stealing 40-50 golf clubs as the result of a golf “addiction,” according to Bremerton Police.

Bremerton Police said that the man was arrested at his residence in Kirkland after a search warrant was served on his apartment as part of an investigation into the burglary of the Pro Shop at the Gold Mountain Golf Course in Bremerton on May 26. More than $9,200 worth of golf equipment, including 40-50 golf clubs, were stolen.

During the investigation, Bremerton detectives searched eBay and Craigslist for sales of stolen merchandise and claimed to have found 11 golf clubs matching several of the clubs taken during the burglary. Security camera footage and other information from the investigation allegedly pointed to a Kirkland resident, according to Bremerton police.

After obtaining a search warrant for the suspect’s apartment, police arrived Wednesday and discovered numerous items taken during the burglary, as well as photos of him playing golf throughout the apartment. The Gold Mountain golf Course has him listed as playing the course eight times in the past year, according to the press release. Police stated the man appeared to not be employed.

Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan said this is the first burglary he’s seen as the result of a golf addiction, rather than drugs or alcohol.

The man was taken into custody and booked into the Kitsap County Jail for felony trafficking in stolen goods, as well as felony burglary.

Bail has been set at $200,000. The suspect’s first court appearance is June 6.

The man has no previous criminal record, according to the press release.