Newcastle residents’ tips lead to burglary arrests
January 6, 2012
By Christina Lords
Newcastle Police Officer Ryan Olmsted arrested two suspects at about 2 p.m. Dec. 8 in connection with recent burglaries reported in Bellevue, Newcastle, Renton and unincorporated King County.
Newcastle Police Chief Melinda Irvine said two other suspects fled the scene, but one was later arrested after a King County deputy located the suspect.
The fourth suspect remains at large, Irvine said.
Two Newcastle residents provided tips, including the suspects’ license plate number, to the Newcastle Police Department via its anonymous email and nonemergency phone lines that lead to the arrests, Irvine said.
The group had burglarized homes in the area and had broken into at least one residence just prior to being arrested, Irvine said.
The number of burglaries the group may be responsible for is still under investigation, and charges against the suspects for at least one burglary are expected in early January, she said.
“Formal charges have not been filed yet,” she said. “Several agencies are compiling all of their cases on this group and will refer them to a single prosecutor who handles high-impact burglars.”
Some items that were recovered may have been taken in Renton burglaries. The Renton Police Department is handling the suspects and associated investigation from the arrests.
A woman from the group would reportedly knock on the door of a home and if someone answered, she would ask if they wanted to donate to a charity, Irvine said.
The group was reportedly looking for homes that appeared to be unoccupied.
If you were a victim of a burglary and have not yet reported it, call 206-296-3311.
If you think this group contacted you at your house Dec. 8 or you have any other information that may assist in the investigation, call the Newcastle Police Department at City Hall at 649-4444.
If you observe suspicious activity, call 911 to have an officer respond.
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