EVERETT — A man reported his work truck stolen in Everett in October 2020.
Later that day, someone used his debit card to withdraw $4,200 at Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
Six months later, in April, another man reported his work van was broken into. He told police his laptop and new business credit card had been stolen. The credit card was used to buy $1,500 worth of wheels from an Everett tire shop. It also helped purchase almost $1,000 worth of merchandise from Foot Locker and over $400 of stuff from Best Buy.
That same month, another stolen credit card was used to buy more than $2,600 in audio equipment from Car Toys in Everett.
And in September, a Mukilteo man had his checkbook and old business credit card stolen from his truck. That night, someone tried to use the card to buy over $1,100 in goods from Target in Everett.
Prosecutors allege the culprit in all these cases is the same man, 33, of Everett. He was charged this week with 10 counts of second-degree identity theft in Snohomish County Superior Court.
The man is accused of using stolen cards around the county, from Tulalip to Lynnwood to Granite Falls to Everett, according to the charging papers.
In a police interview in January, the suspect acknowledged getting a cash advance at the casino last October, according to the charges. He reportedly claimed he was paid $300 to do it for someone else.
The man also reported to police he used the same card to open a credit account at an Alderwood mall jeweler and used several stolen credit cards to pay a 20% down payment on almost $5,000 worth of products.
In another police interview in late May at the Snohomish County Jail, the man greeted an officer with, “Oh great, what new charges are you booking me for,” according to court records. He conceded he’d been doing “dumb (expletive).”
The Everett man was clearly upset by his actions, a police officer wrote in a report. He reportedly told police he needed to get his life in order.
He also explained how he went about committing the alleged crimes, according to the charges. The suspect reported he would get credit cards from vehicle break-ins, according to court documents. He said “he knew he had screwed over a lot of people by stealing their items and using their credit cards,” a police officer wrote.
As for the Foot Locker, Best Buy and wheel purchases in April, the Everett man told police he wasn’t thinking straight that day, the charges say.
Police searched a Mercedes-Benz that the new wheels were intended for, according to the charges. They found car keys, three driver’s licenses, two Costco cards and a checkbook, the charges say. All of the items had been reported stolen by their owners.
The suspect was not in custody Friday. Court records suggest he has no felony convictions as an adult.
His arraignment is set for Dec. 13.
Jake Goldstein-Street: 425-339-3439; jake.goldstein-street@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @GoldsteinStreet.
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