Neighborhood Burglar Caught

A Laurelhurst resident whose home was burglarized in October is relieved that the burglars have been apprehended by Seattle Police.

The family told the Laurelhurst Blog:

The robbers who broke into our house on October 13^th have been caught!  There were 3 of them and they have robbed hundreds of home on the Eastside as well as in Laurelhurst. I feel very relieved.

Here is the story King5 news reported last night:

Felix Hernandez among victims of Bellevue high-end burglary ring

BELLEVUE, Wash. -
Bellevue Police Department released details Wednesday morning of an investigation that led to the arrest of three suspects involved in the largest burglary ring in the history of Bellevue.

Investigators from five different police agencies spent nearly nine months searching for a group of burglars that allegedly targeted high end properties in Bellevue, Kirkland, Seattle, Medina and Clyde Hill.

Police responded to a series of burglaries in April last year. Each case resembled the last: the alleged perpetrators would case homes in expensive neighborhoods, break in by smashing a window or door with a rock or other hard object and then steal jewelry, purses, cash, firearms and other expensive possessions.

Betsy Kirby said her home in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood became the target last October. She and her husband were sleeping when someone threw a rock into her sliding glass door. When they reached inside and opened the door, the alarm went off.

"When we came up here there was glass everywhere and this glass door was shattered," she said. The thieves ran off. She kept the rock they used in the break-in.

"I don't know why I'm saving it, but I'm saving it," she said.

Betsy Kirby said her home in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood became the target last October. She and her husband were sleeping when someone threw a rock into her sliding glass door. When they reached inside and opened the door, the alarm went off.

"When we came up here there was glass everywhere and this glass door was shattered," she said. The thieves ran off. She kept the rock they used in the break-in.

"I don't know why I'm saving it, but I'm saving it," she said.

The thieves drove luxury cars to blend into the surrounding community and robbed each home in a matter of minutes. Police believe this group is responsible for nearly $3 million in loss and over 123 individual burglaries through a period of nine months.

One of the burglary victims was Mariners' Felix Hernandez, who lives in Bellevue. His home was broken into on Nov. 1, 2016. Items stolen from his home included high-end watches and a New York Yankees 2000 World Series ring. 

BREAKING: This ring belongs to @RealKingFelix and his home was 123 that was broken into. This is a Yankees World Series ring that he owns. pic.twitter.com/EjYixZxuHe

— Alex Rozier (@AlexRozierK5) January 25, 2017

Police caught a lucky break during the summer last year when one of the burglars left behind a key piece of evidence, a cell phone, after which the Bellevue Police Department’s Special Operations Group began a joint investigation into the criminal group with help from police departments in Seattle, Kirkland, Clyde Hill and Medina.

After months of searching, investigators traced the suspects to a property in West Seattle this past Monday. They were taken into custody and policy froze their bank accounts, seized five luxury cars and recovered nearly $500,000 worth of stolen property.

The suspects, which are all Seattle residents, include Alonzo Severson, 25, Joseph Sims, 26, and Shon Shannell, 29.

BPD said the suspects are expected to be charged today with numerous counts of burglary. Additional charges are likely to be made as investigators review more evidence.

“I commend the exceptional work by the Bellevue Police Special Operations Group and so many others for being tenacious in their relentless pursuit to apprehend these dangerous criminals," Bellevue Chief of Police Steve Mylett said in a statement.

Individuals who believe they were victimized by the suspects may contact and arrange a viewing of recovered property with the investigating detective by emailing them at pdtipline@bellevuewa.gov. BPD asks that the individual include the police case number of the original burglary report in your message.

(photo courtesy of King5)