Weekend Police Blotter: Thieves Break Through Drywall to Access Martial Arts Studio

Redmond Police say an unknown suspect or group of suspects broke into a Hairmasters salon on 161st Avenue Northeast sometime Thursday night or Friday morning and then broke down drywall to access an adjacent martial arts studio.

Redmond Police spokesman Jim Bove said a string of similar incidents happened throughout the Seattle area nearly two years ago, and a few of the "tunnel" burglaries also occurred in Redmond.

“People would go into a business that was either easier to get into or unoccupied, and they would cut into the drywall to get to the other side,” Bove said.

In the most recent incident, Bove said the thieves stole a "small amount of money" from a safe in the Hairmasters before breaking a hole in the wall to access the adjacent business and steal merchandise.

“The martial arts place was ransacked,” he said.

Police have yet to identify a suspect or suspects in the case.

— Caitlin Moran

From the :

Friday, May 6

7:50 a.m., 8800 block of 161st Ave. NE: An incident of malicious mischief/vandalism was reported in the Education Hill area.

9:09 a.m., 8900 block of 161st Ave. NE: Unknown suspects forced entry into this business and stole cash from a safe. They tunneled through the drywall into a neighboring business and stole some merchandise. No suspect information is available at this time.

9:32 a.m., 18700 block of NE 95th St.: A resident reported that her vehicle was prowled sometime during the morning while parked at a local business.

9:57 a.m., 14800 block of NE 24th St.: An incident of misdemeanor theft from a building was reported in the Overlake area.

10:02 a.m., 8900 block of 161st Ave. NE: Unknown suspects forced entry into a neighboring business and tunneled into this business. A few items were reported stolen. No suspect information is available at this time.

10:22 p.m., 15700 block of Bear Creek Parkway: Redmond Police investigated a theft of a bicycle at a local apartment complex.

11:07 p.m., 10100 block of 166th Ave. NE: Redmond Police arrested the driver of a vehicle on suspicion of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Saturday, May 7

4:03 a.m., 8800 block of 161st Ave. NE: Redmond Police arrested a Redmond juvenile on suspicion of theft and minor in consumption.

11:25 a.m., 10600 block of 184th Ave. NE: A resident reported a burglary to his home sometime overnight or in the early morning.

11:57 a.m., 17900 block of Redmond Way: Redmond Police responded to a shoplifting complaint in the central district. A suspect was arrested a short time later.

1:51 p.m., 16900 block of Redmond Way: A trespassing letter was issued in the central district.

2:26 p.m., 4200 block of W Lake Sammamish Parkway: Sometime in the past two weeks unknown suspects siphoned gas from the victim's car.

10:21 p.m., 3000 block of Bel-Red Road: A Bellevue man was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving in the Overlake area.

Sunday, May 8

6:46 a.m., 15800 block of Redmond Way: A trespass letter was issued in the city center area.

7:30 a.m., 17600 block of Redmond Way: An Redmond man was arrested after he allegedly assaulted another person at a hotel while intoxicated.

10:35 a.m., 7000 block of 148th Ave. NE: Redmond Police responded to a car prowl at a local park. There is no suspect information.

4:07 p.m., 2200 block of 148th Ave. NE: Redmond Police arrested a juvenile male on suspicion of shoplifting.

6:34 p.m., 8400 block of 161st Ave. NE: Redmond Police responded to a report of a stolen cell phone at a park. No suspect information is available at this time.

10:28 p.m., 2200 block of 148th Ave. NE: One male was arrested on a warrant and will be charged with possession of marijuana.