EVERETT — Police arrested two men Wednesday suspected in a dozen burglaries in Snohomish County since 2021.
The arrests in Tacoma came after a joint two-year investigation by detectives from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, Lynnwood Police Department and the federal Department of Homeland Security. The suspects are the latest to be linked to an organized crime group from South America believed to be responsible over 300 heists since 2021 that resulted in losses exceeding $5 million in cash and jewelry.
On Wednesday, a 34-year-old man was arrested and booked into Snohomish County Jail for investigation of 11 counts of burglary and six counts of theft. Another 34-year-old man was arrested for investigation of 12 counts of burglary and 7 counts of theft. Detectives referred an additional six counts of burglary and three counts of theft on a 24-year-old man who was already being held in the Snohomish County Jail on charges related to this investigation.
Since November, the two men have been linked to a dozen burglaries in Snohomish County, including in Lynnwood, Mukilteo and unincorporated south Snohomish County.
During the investigation, detectives learned the men targeted Asian and Indian homeowners, with the belief that they keep large sums of cash and jewelry stored in their homes, said sheriff’s office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe.
The two allegedly found victims through locally owned small businesses and open-source databases.
In June 2023, detectives from four local and federal agencies in Seatle arrested three men, aged 24, 29 and 30, in connection with a string of burglaries across western Washington.
In November 2023, authorities arrested three men in connection with a home invasion near Everett and a series of other heists. Two of the three were believed be part of the same South American crime ring.
The two suspects were expected to make their first appearance in court Thursday.
Michael Henneke: 425-339-3431; michael.henneke@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @ihenpecked.
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