9-1-1 call alerts police

to a burglary in progress

December 18-Just before 1 p.m., Des Moines Police officers discovered a burglary in progress, which led to the arrest of four juvenile suspects. One of the four suspects was armed with a loaded handgun.

Detectives later learned the suspects were responsible for two other burglaries earlier in the morning and are believed to be responsible for up to approximately 10 burglaries that have occurred over the past two to three weeks.

A citizen's 9-1-1 call, reporting four subjects loitering in the 22600 block of 15th Ave. S., alerted police to the teenage thieves. The caller said the subjects were in the street near a red Honda sedan. Within a minute the resident called back to report the car was no longer visible.

The first officer to arrive in the area saw a car matching the description backed into the driveway of a house in the S. 22400 block of 15th Ave. South. The officer believed there was a burglary in progress when he saw a screen had been removed from a window located at the rear of the residence. Four suspects were seen fleeing on foot from the house.

Responding Des Moines officers set up containment covering several blocks. One suspect was taken into immediate custody. A Renton Police Department K-9 officer was requested and assisted in the arrest of the other three suspects.

Later in the evening a search warrant was served a home of one the suspects, where property taken in the burglaries was discovered. It included firearms, jewelry, electronics and athletic-style clothing. Similar type items were taken from the home earlier in the day.

The four suspects are 15 to 16 years of age and attend Mount Rainier High School in Des Moines. They were booked into the King County Juvenile Detention Center on burglary related charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Compiled by Ralph Nichols