A Washington state man will be heading to federal prison for two years for breaking into vehicles in Olympic and Mount Rainier national parks ... after he serves 25 months in state prison for the crimes.

Authorities say Michael Wayne Pickering, 41, of Aberdeen, victimized more than 40 hikers and campers at more than seven different trailheads and parking lots in Olympic and Mount Rainier national parks. Pickering must also serve three years of supervised release following prison, a release from Olympic National Park said.

Court documents describe how, on March 28, 2019, Pickering and his girlfriend smashed windows and stole thousands of dollars of equipment from vehicles parked at the Graves Creek Trailhead and Fletcher Canyon Trailhead in Olympic National Park. This was the beginning of a month-long theft spree, the release said.

According to the release, "in addition to credit and debit cards, Pickering stole expensive electronics, car and house keys, diaries, clean clothes, makeup, and toiletries. When law enforcement searched his residence, they found Pickering had been stockpiling much of the gear he stole or selling it online. He used the stolen debit and credit cards to buy himself luxuries such a flat screen TVs, gaming systems, a drone, and clothes."

“The victims in this case didn’t just suffer a financial loss, they were emotionally damaged as well,” said U.S. Attorney Brian Moran of the Western District of Washington. “Some returned from what was supposed to be a relaxing time in nature, to find themselves stranded with a damaged vehicle, their electronics, clothes and money stolen, marooned in the national park, with no cell phone service. For some it has forever changed their interest in outdoor activities.”

In statements made to the court, victims of Pickering’s crimes described how the car prowls violated their sense of safety and changed their attitude toward camping. Some of the comments include:

It’s really hard to feel so unsafe in the outdoors, which is where I usually find peace and solace.

The crime happened on the last day of a hiking/camping/backpacking trip with friends. I took what otherwise was a great vacation and made it very sour.

We were exhausted and freezing by the time we returned to the trailhead. When we found the truck windows busted out and my luggage stolen it was devastating…We had to drive for nearly an hour with the cold wind and rain coming in through the windows…I have not returned to Washington since this event.

The investigation also revealed that Pickering has a 15-year-history of property crimes in and around Olympic National Park, such as burglary, identity theft, and trespassing.