TULALIP — How many crooks does it take to steal a light bulb?
Apparently, three.
That’s what Tulalip police are alleging.
Tribal officers arrested a trio Saturday for investigation of organized retail theft after they allegedly stole a headlight to install in a stolen car.
All three — ages 43, 36 and 28 — were booked into the Snohomish County Jail.
Walmart security officers spotted the suspects and recognized two of them for previous shoplifting incidents, according to a police report.
The two men and a woman went to the store’s automotive section. One of the men allegedly used a special device to remove the security device protecting the merchandise. He then reportedly handed it to the other man, who put it in his jacket pocket.
The trio then left the store without buying anything.
Once outside, one of the men installed the headlight before hopping into the driver’s seat and heading out of the parking lot.
Police stopped the 2001 Toyota Avalon a short distance away.
After detaining the suspects, a Tulalip officer noticed that the car had phony Washington state license tabs.
Police were able to contact a relative of the owner of the car. He told them it had been stolen about two weeks before.
He told police that his daughter didn’t report the theft because she had a warrant out for her arrest.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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