BELLINGHAM - A man and a woman were arrested on suspicion of stealing about 1,000 pounds of scrap metal from a Bellingham steel warehouse early Wednesday, Feb. 22.

Whatcom County Sheriff's deputies responded to an alarm about 12:30 a.m. at Morse Steel, 3002 W. Illinois St. When they arrived they spotted a pickup truck leaving the area, said Sgt. Larry Flynn.

Deputies pulled the truck over. The two people inside -Dean Rutherfurd Fries, 44, and Tressa Kae Peter, 40, both from Custer - had loaded about 1,000 pounds of scrap steel into the truck, Flynn said.

Fries and Peter were arrested on investigation of third-degree theft and second-degree trespassing. Fries also was arrested on investigation of third-degree driving with a suspended license.

Fries has a criminal history dating back to 1987, including convictions for first-degree theft, possession of stolen property and possession of illegal drugs with intent to deliver.

In 2008, Fries pleaded guilty to stealing three vehicles, a welder worth about $4,000 and several other tools. He had hidden a utility truck and the two other vehicles in the woods near Ferndale Ready Mix, 5271 Creighton Road. At the time of his arrest in that case, deputies found 1.6 grams of methamphetamine in Fries' shoe.