A string of what locals call “suspiciously similar” burglaries in a Lopez neighborhood is leaving residents feeling not only violated, but angry.

More than 30 concerned islanders showed up at the library on Tuesday to talk with San Juan County Sheriff Rob Nou about the outbreak of crime in the Bakerview neighborhood.

“It’s scary stuff,” one woman whispered as they waited for Nou to arrive.

Between October and May there have been five repeated burglaries at the same residences and several thefts reported in the area.

It was evident at the meeting that most residents suspected one man was involved, but the police have yet to find evidence tying a single suspect to all of the break-ins.

Daniel Glenn Roadruck, 48, of Lopez Island, was arrested in May for allegedly stealing meat and cash at Horse Drawn Farm on Lopez, after evidence was found tying him to the crime, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Roadruck is charged in San Juan County District Court with a gross misdemeanor and is out on conditional release, said Nou. His next court hearing is Oct. 10. The maximum sentence for a gross misdemeanor is 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

“With ties to the community and being a semi-long-term resident he was released,” Nou said. “It’s [conditional release] not uncommon when it comes to a misdemeanor.”

He added that the burglaries are part of an active investigation, and that the Sheriff’s Department has given Roadruck a “trespass notice” to leave the residence he has been living in, which is located in the Bakerview neighborhood.

Roadruck has not been arrested or charged in connection with any other residential burglaries or crimes.

Nou told islanders at the meeting that he doesn’t see anything coincidental about a string of burglaries in a small neighborhood.

“But knowing and being able to prove beyond a shadow of doubt in court is different,” he said.

Citizens decided to hold the meeting in order to help “connect the dots” between these crimes. It was also a time for people to tell the sheriff how the recent thefts have affected the community.

“We’ve lost a sense of security,” said Ellie Roser, a local residence. “Most of all we’ve lost a sense of innocence.”

One man said he was worried that the thefts could escalate to more dangerous activity.

“The door was smashed, it was a violent entry,” he said describing the scene at his home after a break-in. “Someone could be home during one of these thefts and it could have become violent.”

Another resident said he has lived in the neighborhood for 30 years and never experienced a theft. A south end island resident told Nou he attended the meeting because he feared the burglaries may spread.

Other members in the audience had less negative feelings toward the suspect in the Horse Drawn Farm burglary. One man described how Roadruck chopped his wood and was pleasant to chat with. Another woman said when her husband fell on the road it was Roadruck who helped him to his feet.

“He was very nice,” she said about the encounter.

Several Lopezians raised concern that the police are not conducting a proper investigation.

“It seems there has been no effort whatsoever to find anything,” said a woman who claimed to have been burglarized three times.

Nou said the Sheriff’s Department is making an effort to find evidence to link the recent crimes together.

Charles Silverman, deputy prosecutor, also present at the meeting urged Lopezians to continue to report any additional missing items to the police.

Nou also asked Lopezians to be forthcoming about information even if they think it may be common knowledge.

“Be wary, pay attention to what is going on in the neighborhood,” he said.