Man caught after burglarizing neighbors

Many items returned

MOSES LAKE - A neighbor tipped off police to a man who is suspected of burglarizing two of his neighbors' homes in Moses Lake.

Wednesday morning Moses Lake Police arrested Chance L. Ulman, 22, Moses Lake, in a manufactured home park on West Wapato Drive for two counts of residential burglary, theft in the first degree, and a warrant.

No charges were filed in Grant County Superior Court nor did Ulman make an appearance by Wednesday afternoon.

Ulman was previously convicted of second-degree burglary, second-degree possession of stolen property and vehicle prowling in 2006, according to the Grant County Superior Court Clerk's Office.

During the case leading to his convictions, six counts were dismissed including a second count of second degree burglary, two counts of vehicle prowl, having/making burglary tools, possession of marijuana and driving while his license was suspended.

Victim Jem Kowallis, 36, Moses Lake, is a resident of the first home to be burglarized.

Kowallis went to work at about 2:30 a.m., he said. A few hours later, his wife Mariann called him to tell him their home was broken into.

"You're kidding me," he recalls thinking. "We couldn't believe it."

Kowallis said his biggest concern was for his family.

His wife and four children were home sleeping during the burglary, he said. His children range in ages from infancy to 10 years old.

Kowallis arrived at his home while the police were arriving, he said.

When he saw his wife and children, he could see they were visibly shaking.

"All our stuff is gone," he remembers saying.

While police dusted for fingerprints, Kowallis and Mariann worked to create an inventory of the stolen items.

A planner containing bank information and identification was missing, he said. Two XBox game systems, several video games, CDs, cassettes, jewelry and coins were among other missing items.

Kowallis said the house was a mess. It was ransacked.

A half hour after police left the scene, he heard glass breaking next door, his neighbor's window was broken, he said.

Police returned a few minutes later after the incident was reported to emergency dispatch.

Kowallis recalls seeing police surrounding the house because it was unclear if someone was inside. Police found the residence empty.

Richard E. Leishman Jr., lives in the home next door, where the window was broken during a second burglary.

He said entry was made by breaking through a bedroom window and the exit was made by kicking down a side door.

Leishman said his first concern was for his Chihuahua.

He noticed his dog was injured. He wonders if the animal was kicked. He said he found his cat hiding under the kitchen sink.

Several items were missing, including checkbooks, cellphone charger, clothes and medication.

He had to board up the broken window and door. Towels are shoved near the bottom of where the door was to prevent a draft. Broken glass still remains in his yard.

After the burglaries, Kowallis decided to ask his neighbors if they saw anything suspicious the day of the burglaries.

Shauna Bronson, 25, Moses Lake, told police something her husband, Andrew had told her.

She said her husband saw Ulman walking around at about 6:30 a.m. Ulman reportedly greeted her husband.

Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Ruffin said Ulman was approached by an officer Wednesday morning for questioning at the park and was initially arrested on a warrant concerning failure to comply with charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Ulman was questioned about the burglaries and allegedly provided information to police leading them to nearly all of the stolen property, he said. The property was located at his residence in the same park.

Bronson said she watched police remove items from Ulman's residence. She described it as an endless supply of things. She watched as police removed duffle bags and backpacks of items, crates of movies, women's clothes, medications and key rings with numerous keys.

Kowallis said he saw several framed photos of unidentified people be removed from the residence.

Kowallis said about $9,000 of the $13,000 worth of items stolen were recovered. Many of the items were past Christmas gifts.

Kowallis and Leishman said they feel like they owe a lot of gratitude to the police and Bronson.

Both agreed that if Bronson hadn't spoke to police, they may have never gotten their possessions back or Ulman arrested.

Now the manufactured home park residents are curious for their safety.

Bronson said she has lived in the park for six years and always liked how quiet it is. She said she does not recall anything like this happening before.

Bronson said she spoke with her landlord who advised of the possibility of installing security gates at the entrances.

Kowallis said he feels better knowing Ulman went to jail but still feels uneasy about the safety of his family.

He said he and his neighbors plan to look out for one another and keep open communication with each other about any suspicious activity.