Published September 15 2015
A man accused of stealing electronics and other valuables from offices across the region, including eight cases in Bellevue, is scheduled to be sentenced this Friday at King County Superior Court in Seattle. The suspect, 42-year-old Seattle resident Saul Taylor, recently pled guilty to eight counts of second-degree burglary and one count of second-degree identity theft for his role in several office burglaries in Bellevue, Seattle, and Bothell.
Taylor was suspected of following employees into the secure areas of offices, oftentimes acting as if he was talking on a cell phone to avoid suspicion or confrontation. Once inside the offices, Taylor allegedly stole electronics, purses, and other valuables from employee work areas. Taylor allegedly used the victim’s credit cards.
After several incidents in Bellevue involving the same suspect, the Bellevue Police Department reached out to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, as well as the television show "Washington’s Most Wanted." Surveillance video of Taylor was broadcast on television, and a citizen tip to Crime Stoppers led to Taylor's whereabouts and his arrest by Bellevue detectives.
"The key to the arrest and prosecution in these cases was an observant citizen who recognized the suspect on TV and did the right thing by calling in," said Major Pat Spak. "Without the trust and assistance from members of the community, our job would be much more difficult."
Spak also recognized the Seattle Police Department, Bothell Police Department, UW Police Department, and the King County Prosecutor's Office (Repeat Burglar Initiative) for their work on the cases.