Break-in spree may be solved

LYNNWOOD – Police believe they have identified two burglars suspected of hitting at least 15 Lynnwood businesses in the past five months.

The two also could be responsible for numerous burglaries in other cities in Snohomish and King counties, Lynnwood Sgt. Sean Doty said.

Detectives arrested one man Thursday in connection with the break-ins. He had been picked up during a burglary in King County, Doty said.

Police were searching for a second man, James Michael Densmore, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Police didn’t release the first man’s name because he hadn’t appeared in court or been charged.

Densmore, 44, was charged with two counts of second-degree burglary in Snohomish County Superior Court Thursday.

He is accused of breaking into the Spirit Halloween Super Store Oct. 16 and the Body Recovery Clinic on Oct. 24, according to court documents.

The burglars broke through the front doors of the businesses after regular hours and looted cash registers. In some instances, they punched through drywall to enter adjoining businesses, Doty said.

About $5,000 was stolen from small businesses, which the suspects believed wouldn’t have security cameras, detective Josh Kelsey said.

Densmore was questioned earlier this week and admitted to breaking into the two Lynnwood businesses and at least six others, charging papers say.

He told police he needed the money to support his family.

Densmore was allowed to return to his family on the condition that he report to the Everett Police Department Thursday to discuss burglaries in Everett, according to court records.

He was last seen fleeing an Everett motel in a red 1995 Dodge Neon with Washington license plate 149 PTO.

Densmore was convicted of 11 felonies between 1981 and 1997, including a conviction in 1990 for escape from the Monroe Reformatory.

Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.

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