PORT ORCHARD, Wash. - The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office reports detectives and deputies have broken up a burglary-theft ring in an investigation into a rash of property crimes in the north end of the county.

Stolen property in the crimes exceeds $250,000. About $75,000 worth of stolen items have been recovered.

A contractor with the Kitsap Sun newspaper is one of five people that have been arrested in connection with the investigation. Officers are still looking for at least four additional people believed to be involved.

Det. Steve Duckworth of the Kitsap Co. Sheriff's Dept. said two people - a man and his girlfriend - who have a newspaper route may have been using the information gathered from the paper route to determine who was on vacation.

"And they were selling, trading and using that information " said Duckworth.

All five suspects are in jail. Three of them will appear in court on Monday.

The sheriff's office says the crimes were in North Kitsap, Poulsbo, Hansville, Port Gamble, Kingston, Indianola, Suquamish and Bainbridge Island.

There were more than 50 residential burglary investigations, more than 100 mail theft and vehicle prowl cases and at least seven thefts of motor vehicles and motorcycles.

In addition to vehicles and motorcycles, stolen property includes:

- High-end electronic equipment such as large, wide screen high definition televisions and in-home theater components.

- Computer systems, personal entertainment devices (iPods, X-Box, etc.), jewelry, cell phones, video & digital cameras, firearms, antiques and alcoholic beverages.

- Construction and home shop equipment, including air compressors, nail guns, power saws, drills, and high-end lawn and garden equipment such as riding mowers and gas-powered chain saws.

- Personal financial paperwork and identifying information, such as driver’s licenses, passports, social security information and bank checks.

Residents were upset to hear how the suspected thieves found many of their targets.

"The irony is you think that you are giving people information that will help you be secure while you're away and then it's the very opposite, you get robbed while you're on vacation," said Claudia Allen.

A spokesman with the Kitsap Sun said there has never been a case like this before. Director of Audience Development, Charles Horton, said "We want everyone to know that this was one person determined to do something wrong, and we urge people not to judge all of our contractors based on this incident."