Updated: Citizen alerts police – business burglary suspects caught

A man visiting friends at a couple Ferndale bars decided not to try and drive but spent last night in his vehicle instead. When he woke this morning, he noticed suspicious activity at the Pioneer Center retail mall on 3rd Avenue.

According to the citizen, who requested his name not be used, he saw someone walking back and forth on the sidewalk in front of the businesses. Then he heard what he described as “chipping noises” coming from the area and then glass breaking. At that point, about 7am, he called 911 to report what he had seen and heard.

Ferndale Police responded and while they were talking with the citizen who called, at least one person was seen exiting the Kowloon Inn restaurant through a broken window.

Immediately after, police stopped a white pickup a block away at 2nd Avenue and Cherry Street and took two men into custody. There were unconfirmed reports of another suspect who may have been on foot who was not detained. Police later confirmed the two taken into custody were the only ones suspected of being involved.

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Ferndale Police booked Christopher M. Rodenberger, age 31, and Daniel N. Flesner, age 36, into the Whatcom County Jail this morning. Each were charged with 3rd degree malicious mischief of less than $750, 2nd degree burglary and 3rd degree theft of less than $750.

It was just yesterday and only two blocks away that another business had been broken into.

According to Ferndale Police Sergeant Travis Card, the pickup vehicle was seized by police while they awaited a search warrant. As of 1pm today, Police were still waiting to make contact with the business owners so it could be determined what, if any, property was missing and if there was further damage inside the business.

This story was updated at 1:30pm to include information provided by Ferndale Police.