MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Everett bandit squeezes his way into 16 downtown businesses

Mar 10, 2022, 6:13 AM

Everett...

Businesses in downtown Everett along Colby Avenue. (KIRO 7 TV)

(KIRO 7 TV)

Dramatic surveillance video shows how a burglar broke in, and then squeezed into, several businesses in downtown Everett.

Police said the suspect admitted to burglarizing at least 16 businesses.

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Many of the cases happened along Colby Avenue near Everett Avenue, including Everett Improv, owned by Britney Barber.

“He got in the shop so smoothly, except when he got his leg caught on the glass panel, which was hilarious,” she noted.

As seen on security footage, the crook’s ability to climb and squeeze his way into tiny spaces has given him quite the nickname: “The Bouldering Bandit.”

Barber said she believed the suspect is as capable of climbing up giant boulders as he is at squeezing through tiny windows.

Everett police tell KIRO 7 TV that “The Bouldering Bandit” broke into many shops by crawling through incredibly small openings. They believe he burglarized not only Barber’s store, but a number of nearby restaurants and a beauty shop.

“He actually staged my safe by the door, walked home, came back 25 minutes later — walked right in, picked up the safe and walked out,” Barber said.

It was footage from Barber’s store that gave police a description of the suspect.

A few days ago, patrol officers say they spotted him walking down the street, wearing his favorite break-in clothes.

“He was almost asking to get caught,” Barber joked. “Who tucks a sweatshirt into a studded pair of jeans? The Bouldering Bandit does.”

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