HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-21 - $1.5 Million in Recovered Stolen Property (PATROL Auto Theft Task Force)
P.A.T.R.O.L . Auto Theft Task Force
P A T R O L
reventing uto heft T hrough egional perational inks
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33325 8 Avenue South, Federal Way WA 98003
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Distribution
Type of Incident: $1.5 Million in Recovered Stolen Property
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Possession Stolen Vehicles / Theft 1 / Possession Stolen Property 1
Location: Sumner WA
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Date : August 21, 2014 through October 8
(Investigation On - Going)
Press Contact: Commander Eric Drever , Tukwila PD / PATROL ATTF / 206 - 391 - 7866
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On August 21 , 2014 , P.A.T.R.O.L. Auto Theft Task Force Detectives were alerted to a semi -
trailer/Cargo theft that had occurred during the evening hours in Sumner Washington . Investigation
revealed that suspects from a n organized Southern California Cargo Theft Cartel had m arked nine semi -
cargo trailers, which were loaded with high value items, for stealing at a later time. The suspects then
used six stolen semi - tractors to take five of the marked cargo trailers. Four cargo containers were left
behind during the theft , due to one of the suspects crashing a truck and effectively blocking the ir exit .
After several weeks of intense covert s urveillance and investigation involving multiple assisting
agencies and eight search w arrants, Task Force Detectives were able to locate and serve warrants on two
storage facilities and a warehouse containing a large portion of the stolen items. Recovered, were 6
s emi - tractors, 1169 large screen LCD TVs, 1727 Laptop Computers, 124 Refrigerators, and numerous
other items that had been stolen from large retailer s . The total recovery is valued over 1.5 Million
dollars.
One suspect, believed to be the lead er of the Cargo Theft Cartel , was arrested and booked during the
investigation. Most of the cartel is believed to have fled back to Southern California and Mexico. The
i nvestigation is ongoing.
The P.A.T.R.O.L. Auto Theft Task Force is a multi - jurisdictional team . Over twenty different Police
agencies in King and Pierce Counties have signed an Interlocal Cooperative Agreement supporting the
Task Force’s mission:
“To aggressively pursue and prosecute prolific offenders related to auto theft through multi -
agency cooperation”
Currently there are four Detectives and a Sergeant from King and Pierce County Departmen ts that make
up the Task Force, along with a Crime Analyst and a Police Commander who oversees operations . The
entire Task Force wages, benefits, equipment, training and expenses are paid by a State awarded grant
from the Washington Auto T heft Prevention Authority (WATPA).
P A T R O L
reventing uto heft T hrough egional perational inks
Storage Unit – 1169 Large Screen LCD TVs Storage Unit – 1727 Laptop Computers
Storage Warehouse – Refrigerators and misc. property