Shoreline Police arrest commercial burglar

from Sgt. Katie Larsen
Shoreline Police

On March 2, 2010, shortly after midnight officers investigated a report of an audible alarm at the Smoke Time business in the 19900 block of Ballinger Way NE. As MPO Torres and his recruit Deputy Vincent arrived in the area they saw a figure run and hide near some trash cans. The officers ordered the subject out. The male was wearing gloves and a stocking cap. Near by was a shopping cart loaded with cartons of cigarettes, energy drinks, a cash till, and other unusual items. The male was detained as officers continued to investigate.

Officers found that the locks on one of the doors had been removed with a torch like instrument and then the hinge pins removed causing the door to fall of the hinges.

Officers found a car parked nearby and through the windows could see merchandise they suspected was stolen in the burglary. Although the suspect had the key to the car in his pocket he denied any knowledge of the burglary.

The car was impounded and the following day Detectives Coblantz and Inn served a search warrant on the car. They recovered evidence from the Smoke Time burglary as well as evidence connecting this suspect to an additional burglary in Shoreline and one in Seattle.

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of burglary. Additional charges are pending.