Police Bust Prolific Teen Burglary Ring

Police say they have busted a teen burglary ring responsible for more than 150 home break-ins.

Six Federal Way teens are in custody, suspected of stealing as much as $200,000 in televisions, videocassette recorders, computers, guns, jewelry and money over the last two years.

They also are believed to have stolen at least eight cars, police said.

“They were busy, very busy,” Lt. Bob Deutsch said Friday. “These were very prolific burglars.”

The burglaries usually occurred on Federal Way’s west side, where the boys lived. Deutsch said they randomly cased houses and often armed themselves before breaking in. In about 60 burglaries, someone was home, usually asleep, but no confrontations occurred, Deutsch said.

All six of the boys have criminal records. They range in age from 15 to 18.

The first of the six was taken into custody Jan. 6 after someone saw him lurking around a house and called police, who used fingerprint identification and made the arrest.

“From there, the ball began to roll,” Deutsch said.