SEATTLE —Detectives arrested three men Thursday believed to be part of an organized crime group responsible for over 200 burglaries across western Washington, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.
The three men, aged 24, 29 and 30, were arrested by detectives from four local and federal agencies in Seattle. The losses from the burglaries exceeded $4 million in cash and jewelry, police said.
In November 2021, the sheriff’s office robbery and burglary unit discovered “a string of approximately 20 very similar burglaries” of homes of Asian American families in Snohomish County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Detectives identified one suspect early last year, but the man “left the area” and the burglaries stopped, police said. He returned later in 2022, and the burglaries began again.
Agencies from Snohomish, Whatcom and King counties collaborated on the investigation. Detectives learned a group of three men was targeting homes from Bellingham to south Seattle, according to the sheriff’s office.
Police booked the men into jail in King County on “multiple counts” of first-degree residential burglary and second-degree robbery. They are expected to be transferred to Snohomish County Jail on Friday evening, sheriff’s office spokesperson Courtney O’Keefe said.
In the past year, there have been three home invasions in Snohomish County involving three suspects wearing dark clothing and masks. In January, three men reportedly wearing face masks reportedly forced their way into a home in Mill Creek, taking “money and valuables,” according to the Mill Creek Police Department.
In May, a Brier family was held at gunpoint by three people wearing ski masks and hoodies, according to Brier police. The intruders reportedly forced their way into the house and attacked one resident.
In August 2022, Irah Sok was killed in her Everett home in the 2600 block of 96th Street SE in an apparent home invasion.
The three arrests Thursday had no connection to Sok’s death or the other home invasions, O’Keefe said.
Police expect to refer additional burglary charges on the suspects to prosecutors, stemming from incidents in Snohomish County, according to the sheriff’s office.
Detectives also anticipate making more arrests connected to the burglary crimes, police said.
Jonathan Tall: 425-339-3486; jonathan.tall@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @EDHJonTall.
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