Seattle police transferring custody of suspect to Lynwood police at SPD's West Precinct Two men suspected of stealing more than $50,000 worth of merchandise from local retailers, including multiple REI stores and the Alderwood Mall Lululemon store, were arrested by Seattle police last night.
“This is incredibly great crime fighting and teamwork,” said Seattle Police Chief Sue Rahr. “We worked closely with our regional law enforcement partners and loss prevention officials to put a dent in the ongoing regional theft issue.”
Seattle police have been searching for the suspects since 185 pairs of pants and leggings were stolen from the Alderwood Mall Lululemon on Jan. 11th and 12th.
Lynnwood police, who reached out to SPD after those thefts, say approximately $20,000 of merchandise was stolen over those two days.
Lynnwood police say they have been in constant contact with officers in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Tukwila, as well as loss prevention officials at multiple stores and shopping centers, with the goal of finding the suspects.
On Thursday, loss prevention officers contacted Lynnwood police just after a theft at REI in Bellevue. Lynnwood police, in turn, reached out to Seattle police.
Seattle police CRG officers immediately began searching for the believed suspect vehicle, a blue Chrysler minivan with a California license plate, in Downtown Seattle and the Chinatown International District. They found the van at 12th Avenue South and South Weller Street. Plain clothes officers then followed the van to a nearby convenience store in the 2800 block of Rainier Avenue South.
Officers found brand new North Face jackets, with the tags still on, throughout the van. One of the suspects was even wearing a North Face jacket, with the tags still attached.
The male suspects, ages 25 and 35, were arrested. Officers also located a stolen bank card, narcotics, and cash while processing the scene. The van was impounded.
The 25-year-old was transferred to custody of the Lynnwood Police Department for a $5,100 Theft warrant. The 35-year-old was booked into the SCORE jail for a $1,000 Theft warrant issued by the Tukwila Police Department.
#2025-15016/West Precinct/Third Watch