A Maple Valley woman helped catch a suspect who was suspected of stealing her purse and then burglarizing her home when she spotted the suspect wearing her clothes at a restaurant the day after the crimes, according to a Maple Valley Police Department press release.
Police say the incident started at about 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning at a Starbucks in the 27100 block of 168th Place in Covington. The alleged victim and her brother were at the coffee shop when she left her purse sitting on a table unattended. Another customer told the alleged victim that a woman had picked up her purse and left. The witness described the suspect as a white female about 5 feet 7 inches tall, with extreme acne on her face.
The alleged victim flagged down a police officer and completed a larceny report while Covington officers and King County Sheriff’s Department deputies searched the area for the suspect. The female suspect was not located.
The alleged victim and her brother returned to her home in the 24400 block of 214 Ave SE and saw a cab in the driveway. Police say the female asked the cab driver what he was doing and he said he had received a call to pick someone up from the house. The alleged victim called 911 since no one was supposed to be inside the house.
Authorities arrived and searched the house,but did not find the suspect. Police say the alleged victim pointed out numerous items that were missing, including some of her clothing. Police also believe they found the suspect(s) own clothing at the scene.
Shortly after 11:30 a.m., the alleged victim and her brother went to eat at a restaurant in the 23200 block of Maple Valley-Black Diamond Rd SE and noticed a woman at the table next to them who matched the description of the suspect who had stolen the purse from Starbucks. The alleged victim also noticed the woman wearing some of her stolen clothes.
The alleged victim called 911 as her brother and husband watched the suspect. The suspect hid in the bathroom until police arrived. The suspect also had in her possession other items stolen in the burglary and larceny. The suspect, a 28-year-old Burien woman, was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of burglary.
