Anti-Crime Team Officers on patrol in Downtown Wednesday afternoon helped corral a prolific car prowler after they spotted him trying to leave the scene of a recent break-in.
West Precinct Anti-Crime Team Officers were patrolling in the 1200 block of Western Avenue at 1 p.m. Wednesday when they heard a dispatcher sending officers to a nearby address for a car prowl that had just taken place. The officers quickly found the 48-year-old man that witnesses described, due to a distinctive pink backpack he stole, near the intersection of 1 Avenue and University Street. Officers noticed the suspect had picked up a green purse in the time between the last car prowl and when they arrived.
With the help of an additional patrol officer, they were able to take the suspect into custody. Officers searched the man and found an air pistol, heroin, and methamphetamine. The Anti-Crime Team Officers were able to contact the victims of two car prowls and return both the pink backpack and green purse to their owners.
Officers booked the suspect into King County Jail for investigation of theft, ID theft, drug charges, vehicle prowling, and property destruction.
For additional information and tips on how to limit the chances of you becoming the victim of a car prowl check out the Seattle Police website here.