FERNDALE, Wash. -- Whatcom County Sheriffs Deputies arrested three men last Thursday after a burglary in Ferndale. 

Twenty-seven-year-old Michael Rice, 26-year-old Jamie Jason and 26-year-old Ariel Alonso were booked on suspicion of residential burglary, possession and trafficking in stolen property. 

Sheriff Bill Elfo says they broke into a home on the 1000 block of Shaw Road on June 7, taking more than $1800 worth of jewelry. 

A deputy was able to track down the jewelry to a second-hand precious metal dealer. 

The suspects admitted to using money made from selling the jewelry to buy heroin.

Sheriff Elfo says there is a correlation between property crimes and drug use in the county.



Sheriff Elfo says homeowners should keep their home securely locked and watch for any suspicious activity. 

He says it also helps to keep photographs of your valuables to help police recover the items if they are stolen.