EVERETT — Arlington police are advising residents to report suspicious activity after reports of possible organized crime rings in the area.
Police believe organized crime groups identified by the FBI as Romanian criminal organizations are responsible for reports of scam operations in recent weeks, involving fake gold sales, staged emergencies and deceptive panhandling.
The scams have been reported primarily around Arlington Safeway, Walmart, the Pilot Travel Center, and off-ramps along the north I-5 corridor, according to the Arlington Police Department. Reports describe individuals pretending to be stranded motorists, a woman faking pregnancy to solicit money and another holding a sign claiming her child has cancer.
Initially appearing to be unrelated, officers later connected several suspects after they were seen in the same vehicle.
“They were doing the different scams at different locations,” Arlington Police Chief Jonathan Ventura said.
While no arrests have been made, police say they have received numerous reports from residents, some of whom have taken photos of the suspects.
An earlier department social media post stated that members of these crime rings often disguise their identities, posing as tourists from regions including the Middle East, India or Spanish-speaking countries. Some scams involve groups entering businesses in large numbers to distract employees while committing theft. Others use minors to evoke sympathy and avoid arrest.
Ventura said these groups frequently move from town to town, avoiding law enforcement.
“When we have contact with them and make our presence known, they tend to move on to the next place,” Ventura said. “Then it kind of stops for us for a while.”
Although none of the reported scams have escalated to violence, Ventura urged residents to be cautious when donating to individuals on the street and instead donate to charity.
“I just can’t tell you how many times we see people get taken advantage of,” Ventura said. “People can really make themselves appear to be desperate and in need.”
While the scams may still be happening in Arlington, Ventura acknowledged that when the scammers do leave, they will likely target another community next.
“Your awareness and cooperation are essential to keeping our community safe,” Ventura said in a press release Friday. “If you see anything unusual or concerning, please contact us immediately.”
Residents can report suspicious activity by calling 911 for emergencies or the non-emergency line at 425-407-3999.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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