Man posing as a real estate agent steals jewelry, police say
Published 1:30 am Saturday, December 29, 2018
ARLINGTON — He introduced himself as a real estate agent.
Prosecutors allege he was a thief pilfering from homes up for sale in three counties.
In Snohomish County, the 37-year-old Mercer Island resident allegedly walked away with $800 worth of jewelry from a home in Arlington, according to papers filed on Dec. 21 in Snohomish County Superior Court.
The man was charged with one count of second-degree theft. He is set to be arraigned Jan. 7.
In October 2017, the defendant, accompanied by a 38-year-old woman, attended an open house for a home for sale in Arlington, according to court papers.
Using a fake name, the suspect introduced himself to the person showing the house as a real estate agent and the woman as his client. The man and woman then entered the master bedroom where he allegedly stole the jewelry.
The homeowner discovered the alleged crime while watching surveillance video taken inside the bedroom.
After photos of the man and woman were posted on a statewide database, officers and deputies from Kitsap and King counties along with Mercer Island and Renton reported similar incidents involving the same man, according to court documents.
The real real estate agent who was showing the home later identified the two when shown a photo montage by a detective. The agent told the officer that “something seemed off” about the man.
Through a tip from a caller, who also stated the man was preparing to flee, he was tracked down and arrested on Mercer Island by local authorities. The suspect had two duffle bags and a backpack containing clothes and personal items when he was taken into custody.
He has previously been convicted of several felonies for burglary and theft in King and Kitsap counties in the past three years. And has been found guilty of seven misdemeanors since 2000, ranging from driving under the influence, possession of stolen property and trespassing.
The woman has not been charged as of publication.
Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@herald net.com. Twitter: @lizzgior.
