A group of roving Christmas package thieves were apprehended today in West Seattle thanks to an eagle-eyed patrol officer. At approximately 11:43 a.m. a victim called 911 to report a male suspect who had just stolen a UPS package from the front porch of her house in the 10000 block of 30th Avenue SW. The suspect got into a white Toyota van occupied by additional suspects and fled the scene. Another package theft from a residence in the 1700 block of Sunset Avenue SW was reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. In that incident a female suspect was seen stealing the package and getting into the same white van.
Minutes after the second incident took place an officer on patrol spotted the suspect vehicle near 16th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury Street and conducted a traffic stop. There were four suspects on board the Toyota van, three adult males and one adult female. Additional officers and a sergeant responded to the scene and all four suspects were detained while officers tried to locate witnesses and victims. The victim from the first theft responded to the scene and positively identified three of the occupants of the van, one being the suspect who actually took the package from her porch.
All four suspects were arrested and transported to the Southwest Precinct where they were interviewed by officers. Following the interviews all four suspects were booked into the King County Jail for theft and outstanding warrants.
Several packages were recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
Investigating officers could see a pile of miscellaneous items in the van that could not be positively identified. The van was impounded and taken to the evidence garage. It will be searched and examined further after officers obtain a search warrant.
This remains an active and on-going investigation.