On 1/8/11, at approximately 9:00 p.m. officers responded to a residence in the 5500 block of 16th South to a report of a burglary. The victims called 911 stating their house had been broken into through a kicked in rear door. At 9:15 p.m. residents near the African American Academy stated 5 males were in the school’s lot, outside a silver vehicle, attempting to open a safe they had on the ground.
Officers responded to both places and were able to piece together that the safe had come from the house on 16th S. 3 of the 5 males were caught. Victims from the original burglary responded and identified the safe and other items taken from their house. The persons watching the “safe crackers” identified the 3 detained as trying to open the safe.
Though an extensive search with K9 and Guardian 1 was initiated it was fruitless.
This was a great job by South Precinct officers as they quickly responded, coordinated 2 scenes, and brought in outside resources to make their efforts more effective. The 3 suspects were booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary. The other 2 suspects remain at large.