EDMONDS — Her grandparents were trying to help out.
They were letting their granddaughter and her boyfriend stay with them. The younger pair had been homeless and struggling with addiction. In the end, the boyfriend allegedly stole thousands of dollars worth of valuables.
The boyfriend, 31, was arrested and booked into the Snohomish County Jail in July. He was still in custody Friday, with bail set at $100,000. He recently was charged with first-degree theft and theft of a firearm.
He and his girlfriend started living at her grandparents’ Edmonds home on Christmas in 2017. They moved out last month.
During that time, the man had found the combination to the homeowners’ safe, according to the charges. Prosecutors say he began stealing jewelry, coins and guns, and selling them.
He recruited his girlfriend to pawn some of the items as well, documents show.
When she asked where he got it all, he told her he “found it,” or that it came from his friends, according to court papers.
She told police she suspected he was stealing from her grandmother, as she had caught him going through the older woman’s jewelry box.
He brought the stolen items to pawn shops in Lynnwood and Shoreline, the charges say, adding that he had taken some coins worth more than $12,000.
The man also reportedly admitted to selling a couple of guns for $500 to a person near the Everett Mall.
The grandparents realized how much was missing July 19, and called Edmonds police.
The next day, officers pulled over a driver in front of the grandparents’ home. The boyfriend was at the wheel.
He allowed police to search his car. Officers said they found jewelry and coins.
The grandfather came outside to watch. He confirmed that everything from the car was his, according to the police report. He also recognized his handwriting on a piece of paper inside.
The girlfriend told police that her partner wanted her to take the blame. He reportedly said he would bail her out.
She was released on $5,000 bond after charges weren’t filed in Superior Court. His trial is set for Oct. 5.
Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @stephrdavey.
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