Police investigate vehicle prowls

ARLINGTON — At approximately 4:30 a.m., Feb. 21, the Arlington Police Department began receiving the first of 19 calls to 9-1-1 from home owners in the Gleneagle neighborhood. Residents were reporting subjects attempting to break into vehicles in the neighborhood, said the city of Arlington’s spokeswoman, Kristin Banfield.

The callers gave dispatchers information on the suspects and their vehicle that led police to the juveniles. They were then arrested and charged with theft in the first degree, malicious mischief in the first degree, and criminal conspiracy to commit crimes. They were also charged with driving under the influence.

The juveniles will be referred to the Snohomish County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office for charging.

Arlington police said thanks to the many citizens who called 9-1-1 to report what they had observed, Banfield said.

Police found large amounts of presumably stolen property in the suspect’s vehicle and applied for a search warrant this week to search the vehicle and retrieve the goods.

Victims of these crimes are asked to contact the Arlington Police Department at 360-403-3400 or go to the Police Station at 110 E. Third Street in Arlington to identify their missing property.

Nicotine drives purse snatching

On departure from shopping at Thrifty Foods at 6 p.m., Feb. 17, a 62-year-old woman had her purse snatched away from her. An eyewitness to the purse snatching followed the suspect in his truck, said Banfield.

Police thought the man snatched the bag because he was out of cigarette money,” Banfield said.

The witness followed until the suspect slipped on some wet grass and fell, Banfield said. The man in the truck told the suspect that the police were on their way and he better sit there and wait.

The suspect was transported to Cascade Valley Hospital for treatment of abrasions on his hands from his fall. The suspect told officers that the driver in the truck had run him over, but other witnesses confirmed that the suspect slipped and fell while running from the scene.

The suspect was checked out at the hospital and then booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of second-degree robbery.

After his arrest, the man told police he wanted a cigarette and was out of money so he grabbed the woman’s purse. The woman got her purse back, including $180 cash and debit cards, Banfield said.

Update on ATM theft

Arlington police detectives are continuing their investigation of the BECU-ATM thefts at a machine located in the 3700 block of 172nd Street.

At least 13 different cards were used to access more than $62,000, most of which did not belong to those who took it out, according to city officials.

“We are continuing to gain additional information from those already in custody about who else may have been involved in the scheme,” said Arlington Police Detective Peter Barrett. “Additionally we are encouraging those who did participate to come forward rather than waiting for us to find them.”

With the numerous leads the department is uncovering and receiving, it is estimated that many more individuals will be named and ultimately arrested.

So far, two have been arrested in the case and one person has turned himself in.

Anyone who has information or who was involved in the theft should contact Arlington Police Department at 360-403-3400

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