During the early morning hours of 8/3/2011 a car theft was committed in the 100 block of Dorffel Dr E. The car was actually stolen from a residential driveway and returned in the middle of the night – verified by sureveillance footage. Property originally in the car had been stolen upon its return. East Precinct patrol officers responded and investigated. An outboard boat motor was among the missing items.
Two days later, the auto theft victim discovered a Craigslist ad for what he believed was his stolen outboard motor. East Precinct Burglary/Theft detectives coordinated with the victim and set up a meeting with the suspects who intended to sell it to them.
The established meeting time was 8/10/2011 at 10:00 a.m. and the place was the 2600 block of 22 Avenue E. Plainclothes detectives arrived early, conducted surveillance and awaited the suspects. Two adult male suspects eventually arrived by car. Both were immediately contacted by both plainclothes detectives and uniformed officers.
In the rear of the suspect vehicle was a box clearly marked for an outboard motor. The vehicle was impounded to the Seattle Police Processing Room awaiting search and inventory. The 28 year old suspect was booked into King County Jail was arrested and booked into King County Jail for warrants. The 35 year old suspect was interviewed and released pending verification that the outboard motor he intended to sell was the same one that had been stolen in the previous auto theft. East Precinct Burglary/Theft detectives continue to investigate.