The Island County Sheriff’s Office is seeking a “person of interest” in connection with a dozen burglaries in February and March along Goldie and Oak Harbor roads.

Det. Ed Wallace said one 20-year-old male suspect was arrested last week, but they are searching for another young man in connection with the burglaries, in which mostly cash was taken. Broken into were businesses in the business parks along Goldie Road as well as a few churches.

Wallace described Jacob Whitaker, 19, as a transient with no fixed address. Whitaker is 5 foot 9 inches tall, 172 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. He has a skull tattoo on his left shoulder.

Wallace thinks Whitaker may be being hidden by friends, but he said that would not be a good idea.

“Anyone found harboring him would also face criminal charges,” Wallace said.

Wallace advises anyone with information on Whitaker’s whereabouts to call Island County dispatch at 679-9567, but not make contact with Whitaker directly.

In a related matter, Oak Harbor Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone connected with the recent burglaries, and similar burglaries that occurred last fall in the same area.