Deputies searching for suspects in trailhead burglary

KING COUNTY, Wash. — The King County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a Sammamish woman had her car prowled at the Tiger Mountain Trailhead. Detectives say they stole her vehicle registration and her gate opener and got back to her house before she did.

According to investigators from the Sammamish Police Department, a contract city for the King County Sheriff’s Office, the pair opened the gate and kicked in the front door. When they entered the house, they tripped the security alarm. The victim arrived home to find police already there.

The two suspects, a man and a woman, were driving a white Mercedes SUV. Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying the pair.

Now the King County Sheriff’s Office is warning people not to keep their registration in the glove box. They say to take it with you, along with any gate or garage door openers.

They say you can take a photo or have a digital copy of your vehicle registration with you and that is good enough if you are stopped by police and asked to provide your registration.

“If you’re a car thief or a burglar, that registration is a treasure map of sorts and it’s going to take you right to that house,” said Sgt. Tim Meyer, King County Sheriff’s Office. “These guys are pros. Now they’ve stumbled on this registration they know the vehicle is here which means the homeowner is probably not there. They know they have a narrow window to do whatever crimes they’re planning on doing.”

John Trammell was at the Tiger Mountain Summit Trailhead on Thursday. KIRO-7 told him what had happened. “I never really thought of that scenario, of someone stealing my registration and beating me to my house.” Trammell, who had driven from Colorado, said he’d consider keeping his registration in a safe in his van instead.

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