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dow, which had been removed and was leaning against the west wall. The garage door was partially open, about two feet. Heavier smoke was billowing from an exterior vent on the home’s backside and a sliding rear door was open. Officers then saw heavy fire coming from an exterior wall/window in a southeast room.

The home’s two residents were not home; they were later located by phone at a cabin in northern Minnesota. An adult daughter had been picking up the mail for them while they were gone, but was also not at the residence. The homeowners confirmed when they had left the home’s doors and windows had been locked, all but the garage’s service door.

During the investigation, police noted what appeared to be tool marks on the front window sill and window and a piece of weather stripping on the ground. A firefighter noted pry marks on the front door and door frame. The window next to the front door was missing.

Firefighters later confirmed two fires had been started in the home: A larger fire in the southeast lower level and a second in the northwest corner of the second level. The home was in disarray as well: cabinets were open, drawers pulled out and contents dumped on the floor and the couch had been tipped over. Further observation showed a window missing in the southeast bedroom. Prescott police called in the State Division of Criminal Investigation arson unit for further assistance. Agents confirmed the fire was not accidental.

During their investigation, agents found a blue lighter next to the front door, a green lighter outside next to the deck and a can of starter fluid on the garage floor.

Once the homeowners returned home, they confirmed many missing items, such as a Mossberg 30-06 rifle, a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun, prescription medication, jewelry, a wooden handle hatchet from the garage, and a Sawsall.

A family member when interviewed identified Hanken as a suspect; the family member had ended a relationship with him due to his alleged drug-use. The family member thought it odd he had texted her out-of-the-blue about being at a job interview that morning, because he normally did not provide details on his whereabouts. She said Hanken knew the homeowners were out of town and that he was familiar with the home’s layout.

On Aug. 22, police responded to Hanken’s residence in Hudson and saw his truck parked in front of his apartment. Through its windows, police could see mail with Hanken’s name on it, two gun cases matching the description of the stolen ones, and what appeared to be a hatchet handle under the driver’s seat. They also saw a white ring box and tools, all of which matched the stolen items’ descriptions. Police secured a warrant and towed the vehicle to Prescott PD. In all, police collected 38 items from the truck as evidence, much of it matching descriptions of the stolen items.

On Aug. 27, the family member called police and told them Hanken had admitted over the phone to breaking into the house and starting the fire. He allegedly told her he was “out of his mind” because of drugs and started the fire after cutting himself during the burglary, in order to hide blood evidence.

Hanken, after several no-shows after promising to come to the police station, came to Prescott PD on Aug. 28 to talk of his own free will. He admitted to having a drug problem, and said the burglary was a spur-of-the-moment decision when he was high, because he owed someone money. He told police he started the one fire on a couch, but said he never went upstairs or started a fire on the second level. The police report stated that Hanken promised to get help for his addiction, expressed willingness to return more of the stolen items and appeared upset and remorseful.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled at 10 a.m. Aug. 2 at Pierce County Courthouse.