EDMONDS — Based on a screen shot, detectives can rule out Peter Parker as the thief who stole a surveillance camera from outside the Edmonds Police Department in July, but the suspect did have some Spider-Man agility.
Thursday, police posted on Twitter a 44-second video clip of a man pulling the camera from the building.
“So funny story,” police wrote in a Tweet that accompanied the video. “We had our surveillance camera taken by the EPD Superfan. Explaining this to the Chief was a touch awkward & we would like to share the experience with this local tech squad aficionado.”
In a second Tweet that included a still shot of the bearded suspect, Detective Ryan Speer wrote: “Let’s talk.”
The camera — one of many outside the police station — was stolen at 9:09 p.m. July 10. It was near a door that’s down some steep stairs in an area around the station that doesn’t generate much foot traffic, said Edmonds police Sgt. Shane Hawley.
“We don’t think this guy damaged the building,” Hawley said. “He kind of looks up and climbs up and goes right after the camera. He basically ripped it down and dumped it in some bushes. It is kind of an oddball deal.”
“… He was able to climb up the side of the building like Spider-Man,” he said.
So funny story…we had our own surveillance camera taken by this EPD Superfan. Explaining this to the Chief was a touch awkward & we would like to share the experience with this local tech squad aficionado. Email Ryan.Speer@edmondswa.gov if you have any info. #yesweseetheirony pic.twitter.com/hE1Fozizpc
— Edmonds Police Department (@EdmondsPolice) September 19, 2019
City workers later found the camera.
Although the camera was attached to a little-used part of the building, Hawley found it hard to believe the suspect didn’t know he was at a police station. There were marked police cars 25 feet from the stairs and a sign that says police vehicles only.
Now police are sharing the video and photo in hopes of having a chat with the fellow whose image was recorded that July night.
“We are glad he is a big fan of ours and wants to come visit,” Hawley said.
This time, police are inviting him to the station instead of having him show up unannounced — and they are seeking help to identify him.
It’s not every day the police department is the victim of a theft or burglary.
“Some people might think it’s embarrassing for us, but this stuff can happen,” Hawley said.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446; stevick@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
