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Police Uncover Major Trafficking Operation After Burglary Victim Tracks Stolen iPad to Capitol Hill Home

Police have uncovered an major stolen property trafficking operation after a burglary victim and police tracked a stolen iPad to a Capitol Hill home filled with computers, bikes, and drugs.

On Friday November 2nd, at about 7:45 am, a North Precinct officer responded to a business in the 1100 Block of North Northlake Way to investigate an overnight burglary.  The victim arrived at work and discovered his iPad was taken in the burglary.

After speaking with officers, the victim decided to use an “app” on his cellphone to track his stolen iPad.  Later that same morning, the victim was able to track his stolen iPad to a house near 12th Avenue East and East Mercer Street, and called 911 to report it.  East Precinct officers arrived and accompanied the victim as he knocked on the door of the house, which apparently served as both a residence and a computer repair shop.

While the victim was knocking on the door, officers could see a number of computers inside the shop.

Once police were able to contact several people inside the home, the victim activated  the program on his “app” that caused his iPad to emit a sound.  The officers and the victim heard the iPad inside the repair shop, and the victim was able to positively identify his stolen property.  The suspect claimed he had purchased the iPad from someone online, but could not provide any details or records of that transaction.

Detectives from the East Precinct responded to the scene and immediately recognized the suspect and location as being involved in the trafficking of stolen property.  Officers arrested the 41-year-old suspect and filed for a warrant to search the home.

Detectives served a warrant at the home and recovered numerous computers and computer parts in the basement, shed, and garage. They also found high-end bicycles, liquor bottles, Rolex watches and methamphetamines inside the home.

Police arrested the suspect and booked him into the King County Jail for Investigation of Possession of Stolen Property. There appears to be quite a number of items from recent area burglaries at this location.   This remains an active and on-going investigation, and detectives have quite a bit of evidence to sift through.