Lacey man charged after allegedly breaking into home, resisting arrest

A Lacey man was charged with a felony and a misdemeanor after allegedly breaking into a house that he previously worked on and then resisting arrest.

Wayne Richard Knapp, 46, was charged with residential burglary and resisting arrest by the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney on Oct. 18.

Olympia police arrested Knapp on Oct. 16 after a reported burglary of a house under construction on the 2100 block of 18th Avenue SE.

The reporting party, the homeowner, said he could see someone inside his house through a surveillance camera.

Police said they arrived at the scene and heard a loud bang, followed by the suspect, later identified as Knapp, moving through the property to escape.

Officers advised Knapp of their presence and told him to put his hands up, but the suspect kept moving until he got out through the rear of the house.

Outside the house, a scuffle broke out as Knapp refused to get on the ground, police said. A dog was deployed and bit the suspect in his right arm.

Knapp grabbed the dog’s snout, according to police, and refused to let go despite law enforcement’s orders. An officer managed to take the suspect down to the ground, but Knapp kept trying to get back up.

Police informed Knapp that he was under arrest, to which the suspect replied, “For what? I’m supposed to be here."

Knapp continued resisting, police said, but gave in after an officer said they would confirm if he were indeed allowed to be inside the property.

The homeowners told police that no one was allowed to be inside the house, and no one had the power to permit others to be on the property.

The reporting party noted that Knapp worked on the house about two and a half months ago under their previous sub-contractor. However, they have not had any contact with the suspect since then.

The homeowner said a toolbox and a box of flooring had been opened.

Knapp was booked into the Thurston County Jail for third-degree assault, resisting arrest, and harming a police dog. He was first given medical attention for the dog bites.