I got a phone call this evening with some great news. The guy who I believe slashed my tires near Woodside several years ago is in jail tonight. There’s been a huge rash of thefts and vehicle break-ins around Woodside in the past couple of years, and a lot of people suspected the looney who lives at Woodside, Jason Pogue. Here is my post about him from last year, and you can read about a few of the older thefts and break-ins here, here, and here. A few days ago there was another report of theft.
Yesterday there was yet another break-in reported near the Smith Cabin, and there were also some hikers camped at Cottonwood Wash that reported somebody going through their camp. Some motorcycle riders had heard about the incidents and were keeping a close eye out, and actually caught the guy in the act. They chased him down on their bikes, tackled him, and held him until the police arrived. You can read all about it here.
I wish I had gotten a good look at the guy who slashed my tires, but I only saw him from about a couple hundred yards away. I can only speculate (and hope) that it was the same guy who got caught today, because it would somewhat put my mind at ease. Either way, as long as Jason Pogue remains behind bars, the northeastern end of the San Rafael Swell is now a safer place.