Three suspects have been charged in the Everett District Court for the April 12 burglary of the Senior Center of West Seattle. They are Byron J. Bowman, a 44-year-old felon, his son, Tyler B. Bowman, 22, and a friend, James M. Densmore, 49.

They stole cash and gift certificates totaling more than $5,000 from a safe at the senior center. They pried their way in and kicked in some drywall in two spots. That was their calling card on other burglaries they are suspected of. Video surveillance capturing the suspects was turned over to Detective Nick Bauer of the Southwest precinct who shared it with a multi-regional crime task force.

Southwest Precinct Sergeant Jeff Durden explained, "A task force including Seattle Detective Mel Britt, along with the Lake Stevens, Arlington, Marysville, Snohomish, Skagit and Pierce county police forces has been organized. County police departments got the video from Detective Bauer. The suspects matched those captured on video during another burglary at a Lake Stevens grocery."

Durden said the task force is examining more than 130 burglaries where a pry-bar and bashed-in drywall were evident.

"There will be more charges forthcoming," he added. "We're going through old cases with a fine tooth comb to see if there are any similar break-in 'M.O.'s,' or methods of operation."

Byron Bowman has had more than 12 felony convictions, primarily for breaking into homes and businesses. His most recent felony conviction was in 2006 for methamphetamine possession.

Snohomish County sheriff's detective Jim Scharf is on record saying that In 1991 Bowman was named as both a witness and a suspect in the shooting death of Tira Snyder, 19. Detectives speculated that Snyder was killed by a burglar whom she surprised in her Lake Roesiger home.

However, Durden said the Southwest Precinct is currently focusing on area burglaries that may have involved Bowman.