Just after his shift began on Tuesday morning, May 25, Officer Sands made an extra patrol loop behind a shopping center in the 22600 block of Bothell Everett Highway… and noticed a few things that just weren’t right: A truck with no license plates, and a driver slumped over the wheel.
After talking with the driver, Officer Sands noticed a very large package in the bed of the truck.. with a name and address that didn’t match the driver.
It turns out – that package was recently stolen from a Bothell home. It contained a special gift: A new basketball hoop for a Bothell child about to celebrate a birthday.
But Officer Sands didn’t just save a birthday: Also clearly visible in the truck – were tools. Not just any tools, but a special combination; commonly used in the rapid removal of catalytic converters and in burglaries. The suspect was arrested and the truck will be searched for additional evidence.
We share this case, not to give our department or Officer Sands a pat-on-the back. We’re sharing, because we want you to know – our officers understand the frustration of property crimes. We know how upsetting it is to have packages stolen off your front porch, or mail stolen from your mailbox.
We can’t catch every mail, package, or identity thief – but we'll sure try. And while we do, please take some steps to protect your mail and your identity from thieves.
We can’t catch every catalytic converter thief, but our officers are on the lookout every day and night. These thieves work very fast. What can you do to protect your vehicle?
- Park vehicles in a garage. If that’s not possible, at least park in a well-lit area.
- Consider installing a catalytic theft prevention device, or having your catalytic converter welded to your vehicle.
- Mark your vehicle’s VIN number on your catalytic converter with a UV pen.
- Report theft and suspicious activity to Bothell Police.
If your Bothell neighborhood or organization would like one of our officers to come share more about crime prevention, contact our Community Engagement Coordinator: cam.johnson@bothellwa.gov