The Eastside, including Redmond, has been hit with a series of motor vehicle prowl and burglary incidents during the past few weeks.
The Redmond Police Department (RPD) is currently investigating three incidents in which the victims’ vehicles were broken into while they were in unattended parking lots of a public place such as a theater or restaurant. The vehicle registrations and other valuables are taken. In two of the cases, the victims’ residences were then burglarized a short time later while the victims were still unaware of the vehicle prowl.
Redmond police Lt. Charlie Gorman said the first report came in on March 26. The victim was a Medina resident but their car was broken into while in Redmond.
The other two incidents occurred last Saturday. A vehicle was broken into in the parking lot of the Regal Bella Bottega movie theater in Redmond and then the victim’s home in unincorporated King County just outside of Redmond was burglarized.
In the third incident, a Redmond resident’s car was prowled while in the parking lot of a Woodinville movie theater. Gorman said the victim’s home was not burglarized but they did receive a report of suspicious circumstances in that neighborhood, which may have been tied to the vehicle prowl.
According to a press release issued by Redmond police, it is assumed that suspects are using the vehicle registration as a way to get the victim’s home address in order to burglarize it.
In addition, Gorman said they are aware of more incidents in eight or nine neighboring jurisdictions.
To protect themselves, Gorman said RPD suggests vehicle owners keep or make a copy of their vehicle registration and keep it on their person and not in their vehicle. If there is more than one driver, Gorman said to make multiple copies. He also said drivers should remove or take their valuables from their vehicles when leaving it unattended.
“Make your car unattractive to a thief,” he said.
Leaving bags, purses, electronics and other items in plain sight can be encouraging for thieves, Gorman explained.
“It’s being asked to be taken,” he said about visible items.
