Kirkland police bust counterfeiting crime ring

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Kirkland police arrested five men late last month who they say are responsible for the recent spike in crime in Kingsgate.

According to investigators the thieves were stealing packages, mail and cars. They were also making their own cash.

Police started getting reports of counterfeit cash circulating in the Kingsgate neighborhood in Kirkland in the last few months.

The McDonald’s restaurant contacted police after getting counterfeit $20 bills.

Scroll down to continue reading

Trending headlines

• Dad stabs family dog to death to save 1-year-old daughter
• Gov. Inslee makes pitch for carbon tax
• As cracks widen in Rattlesnake Ridge, here's what to know about landslide risk
• Suspect taken into custody after fatal shooting of deputy
• What is the H3N2 flu and how bad is flu season this year?

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

"The money looked and felt real. But when you begin to look at them you notice the serial numbers are the same," said Corporal Cody Mann, Kirkland Police Department.

Investigators say the crime ring was linked to drugs and they recovered meth and black tar heroin in the apartment.

Kirkland Police say they've seen a drop in car theft, mail theft, car theft and ID theft since the arrests last month. They also have not had any more reports of counterfeit cash.

Detectives are still looking for four more suspects.

Police have a warning for criminals targeting residents in Kirkland.

"We'll find you. You may pull a few over on us until we figure out who you are. We will eventually catch up with you and if you hear a knock aon the door at 7am in the morning, like these folks did on the 28th of December, it's us and we're putting a stop to it," said Corporal Mann.

Cox Media Group