Is this your stuff? Seattle police detectives would like to know
Jun 25, 2015, 7:27 AM | Updated: 9:16 pm
A range of stolen property, such as this signed jersey, was found in the storage units used by suspected thieves. (SPD)
(SPD)
It took a SWAT team, officers, and a King County Sheriff’s helicopter to track and arrest the leader of a major Seattle crime ring suspected of committing a long list of burglaries.
“I knew this day was coming,” the ring leader told officers when he was arrested Tuesday, according to the Seattle Police Department.
Detectives with Seattle’s major crimes taskforce were on the trail of the 30-year-old alleged ring leader and his 22-year-old girlfriend, along with five other suspects, over the last two months. When the ring leader’s truck was spotted at NE 50th Street and NE Blakely Street Tuesday, officers called for back up, then moved in to make an arrest. The man and his girlfriend were taken into custody at a motel near University Village.
Police also arrested two of the five other suspects, but three remain at large.
The arrest led detectives to storage units filled with stolen loot, including electronics, jewelry, sports memorabilia, foreign currency, surveillance systems, cameras, collectables and more. Police also found master keys to Seattle condos. Among the sports memorabilia are football jerseys; some are signed.
The theft ring is believed to be responsible for a range of burglaries throughout North Seattle. Detectives suspect the crew targeted homes during the day, and then robbed businesses at night. Seattle police also believe the alleged thieves broke into 22 storage units in the University Village area.
The thieves put considerable effort into their jobs. Detectives note that they would use hidden cameras to aid their thefts. For example, they once hid a camera in a grocery store and filmed staff entering a combination on a behind-the-counter safe. After reviewing the video, the thieves returned to the store overnight, entered the safe with the recorded combination, and stole its cash.
The Seattle Police Department has posted pictures of various items recovered from the thieves’ storage unit. They are asking anyone who believes their property is among the stash to come forward, but proof of ownership is required. Proof could be a receipt, a case number related to the stolen item, or a photo of a person with the stolen item.
Photos of stolen property can be viewed here. Detectives can be contacted at SPD5002@seattle.gov.
