After examining multiple car-prowl cases in Redmond over the last few months and reviewing surveillance footage, Redmond Police Department (RPD) detectives have linked a male-female duo to 13 prowls.
The pair was arrested on Jan. 2 at a downtown apartment parking garage and detained without incident. When they were questioned separately at the department, both admitted to committing several car prowls.
“The male and female matched the description of the car prowl series and in fact, had the same clothes seen on many of the videos. The male was holding a crowbar and had carried in three backpacks; the female had brought back a rolling suitcase and several more bags,” reads a RPD press release. Both suspects already had warrants for theft out of Redmond and Bellevue.
The car prowls were reported in downtown Redmond apartment parking garages and in Microsoft building garages in the Overlake area.
The duo smashed windows and in once instance, are seen on video using stolen cards at Redmond Target, Fred Meyer and Safeway. RPD’s analyst compiled all the information — including the types of items stolen — and distributed a bulletin to officers and provided footage of the suspects.
On Jan. 2, an employee from a downtown apartment on 161st Avenue Northeast called police to report that several resident vehicles had been prowled and it appeared someone was living in the storage room.
Upon arrival, officers canvassed the area and found several unsecured bike storage lockers that contained multiple personal items, including tools, shoes, tents, identification, bags and other personal effects. There were also old dirty clothes, a makeshift bed and other evidence that person(s) had been living in the garage.
“Believing that many of the items seen were likely stolen and having knowledge about the recent car prowl series, officers quickly consulted with supervisors. After ensuring regular patrol could be covered, officers made a decision to wait for the squatters to return, to see if/how they were connected to all of the property,” the release reads.
One officer sat inside of a dark storage locker and another waited outside. Approximately four hours later, at 8:50 p.m., a male and female returned to the area and began arguing about a bag they were looking for, discussed “doing a shot” and were heard rummaging around the personal items and lockers.
“During this time, it became clear they were attached to all the property/bags. At this time, the officer exited the storage locker to detain them, with the officer stationed outside,” the release reads.
