Walla Walla man sentenced to 29 months for burglaries, police chase
By Dan Thesman on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — A Walla Walla man was sentenced Tuesday to nearly 2½ years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a string of local burglaries and a prior police pursuit.
Derek Michael Mason Cole, 43, appeared before Walla Walla County Superior Court Judge Brandon L. Johnson for a change of plea and sentencing in two separate cases.
Under a plea agreement, Cole pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree theft related to late September burglaries in Walla Walla. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed charges of residential burglary, second-degree burglary, third-degree theft, and third-degree malicious mischief.
Judge Johnson imposed an agreed recommendation of 29 months in prison on each count, to run concurrently with a 29-month sentence on an older case. In that matter, Cole was convicted of attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and unlawful display of a license plate flipping device after being terminated from the Adult Recovery Court program.
Walla Walla County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kelly Buerstatte noted the resolution spared Cole up to 84 months had he been convicted of residential burglary. Defense attorney Julie Karl emphasized Cole’s accountability and motivation to redirect his life.
Cole was ordered to pay $1,090 in partial restitution to Calvary Chapel Church, with additional restitution to be determined later. Cole was also ordered to be trespassed from the church and an apartment property on Pleasant Street.
