CAPTURED: Everett Police dismantle 'pyramid style' gym locker theft crime ring involving 15 suspects
EVERETT -- Everett Police and numerous law enforcement agencies in Snohomish, King and Skagit Counties investigated multiple fitness center and gym locker theft cases in 2019. In several cases, the involved suspects hit multiple locations on the same day.
Everett Police Det. Jamie French investigated 23 reported cases involving Identity Theft, Theft, Possession of Stolen Property and Forgery with financial losses amounting to thousands of dollars for victims.
"Throughout these entire cases, it would have been nearly impossible for us to make some of the identities and some of the captures and apprehensions that we were able to do so we really thank the public, Washington's Most Wanted and Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound for helping us out and being successful with this entire endeavor," said Everett Police Officer Aaron Snell.
Det. French, with the help of other agencies, Washington's Most Wanted and Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, identified 15 suspects involved in the theft ring.
“This was a “pyramid style ring” where the suspects played different roles in the process. Some acted as lookouts while others broke into lockers and either gave stolen bankcards to others or used the cards themselves," said Det. French.
Eleven suspects were arrested and charged in these cases. “The public was essential in providing investigators information to help identify some of the suspects involved,” stated Det. French. “We appreciate the help as Identity Theft has a huge impact on victims who will deal with the fallout for months, even years.”
All suspects in the theft ring have been sentenced.
Two suspects, Taylor Freeman and Jacob Sanner, were just sentenced.
The following is the breakdown of the sentencing:
Taylor Freeman pled guilty to Residential Burglary, five counts of Identity Theft and Attempting to Elude. Freeman was sentenced to just under 37 months plus three years of community supervision.
Jacob Sanner pled guilty to 19 felonies of which 15 were for ID Theft. Sanner also petitioned for DOSA but was denied. Sanner was sentenced to 56 months in prison plus 12 months community custody for crimes in Snohomish County.
DOSA stands for “Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative.” A DOSA sentence allows incarcerated offenders with substance abuse problems to receive a reduced prison sentence in exchange for completing a chemical-dependency treatment program.
Mikayla Carabello-Olson pled guilty to one count of ID Theft. She was sentenced to 40 days in Snohomish County Jail and was then transferred to King County Jail to face similar charges. Olson has since been released.
Jesslyn Guzman pled guilty to two counts of ID Theft and received 3 months in jail and 12 months of community custody. She was transferred to California to face similar charges. Guzman has since been released.
Taylor Pounds pled guilty to five counts of ID Theft and served three months. Pounds has since been released.
Sukjae "Eric" Woo plead guilty to 15 counts of ID Theft, one count of Possession of Stolen Property 2 and one count of Theft 2. Woo petitioned for DOSA but was denied. WOO was sentenced to 50 months plus 12 months of community custody.
Matthew Malouf was arrested in San Diego in November 2019 where he remains in custody. He is being held on multiple ID Theft felonies but will be returned to Washington to face charges when he is released.
Brianna Reynolds was arrested in Las Vegas in September 2019 where she remains in custody on a fugitive warrant, two counts of Grand Larceny and Burglary charges. Reynolds but will be returned to Washington to face charges when she is released.
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Hal Hupp was part of the ID Theft Task Force handling the Snohomish County cases. “Prosecutions like these are possible because of the Regional Fraud and ID Theft Task Force combining with multi-county law enforcement agencies and prosecutor’s offices working together to battle identity theft.” DPA Hupp stated, “These particular cases crossed over from King County to Snohomish County and finally into Skagit County as the ring traveled up and down the I-5 corridor. I want to thank all law enforcement and prosecutors in the adjoining counties for their hard work and efforts."
EVERETT -- As of October 11, 2019, Everett Police say there are five suspects still outstanding as detectives work to shut down a gym locker theft ring. The suspects enter local fitness centers, gyms and recreation centers to break into lockers and steal financial information which is being used throughout the Puget Sound area. Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound is offering a cash reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to any of their arrests. Call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or use the P3 Tips App on your cell phone to submit a tip on their location.
25-year-old Taylor Pounds is still wanted. She is believed to possibly be using a fake ID.
Taylor Pounds is wanted by Everett Police
25-year-old Jacob Sanner was previously arrested for thefts associated with the crew and has an active felony warrant for his arrest.
Jacob Sanner is wanted by Everett Police
28-year-old Jessica Dougherty has a DOC warrant for her arrest for Escape Community Custody.
27-year-old Matthew Malouf remains on the loose and is wanted.
Matthew Malouf is wanted by Everett Police
Detectives say Ashley Rosenzweig who is pictured in the black jacket and t-shirt with the blonde hair walking out of Fred Meyer was identified by anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. Rosenzweig currently has active felony and misdemeanor warrants for her arrest.
Ashley Rosenzweig has felony and misdemeanor warrants for her arrest
Brianna Reynolds was arrested into custody in Las Vegas for drugs. She is currently in custody for 15 financial/property crime charges. She had dyed her hair bright orange. She still has an active warrant for her arrest here in WA.
Brianna Reynolds in custody in Las Vegas
24-year-old Taylor Freeman is currently in custody. Detectives say Eric Woo was arrested by Lynnwood Police and is in jail.
Jesslyn Guzman and Mikayla Carabello Olson were arrested on October 8th.
Mykel Lopez pictured below in the white t-shirt walking out of Fred Meyer was arrested and has bailed out of jail.
WANTED IN EVERETT --
Everett Police say for the past three months, the 7 suspects above have been entering local fitness centers, gyms and recreation centers to break into lockers and steal financial information which is being used throughout the Puget Sound area. Detectives say several of the locations have been hit multiple times, on the same day.
Everett Police say they have probable cause to arrest the 7 suspects for charges including Identity Theft, Forgery, Possession of Stolen Property and Theft.
There are also several unidentified suspects shown in the photo gallery below who need to be identified.
Police say one of the suspects involved was arrested and told detectives that there are about 30 people in the group committing the locker thefts. He said the group travels all over to break into gym lockers -- even to Oregon and California. Detectives say the suspect admitted to committing roughly 30 thefts in the past six months. Within days of his release, police say the suspect was again contacted and arrested -- in a gym -- for the same crime.
Detectives say surveillance video you can see below shows two of the suspects, Taylor Freeman and Sukjae 'Eric' Woo, enter a gym and walk past employees without signing-in. Police say they pretend to log-in, or use a false name. In many cases, the suspects enter wearing one outfit and leave wearing something slightly different. While in the locker room, detectives say the suspects break into lockers to steal wallets, money and even keys. Police say there have been several cases where the victim had their wallet stolen from their vehicle -- and in some cases -- the vehicle was also stolen. After the gym, detectives say the suspects go to local businesses and purchase gift cards.
Everett Police says it's investigating over 20 reported cases with financial fraud in the thousands of dollars and working with other law enforcement agencies in King and Snohomish Counties.
Everett Police ask anyone with information about the theft ring, the identities of those involved, or know where the group stays -- to call the department's tip line at (425) 257-8450, or send an email tip to tips@everettwa.gov
You can also submit in anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers through the P3 Tips App on your smart phone, or by calling the hot line at 1-800-222-TIPS(8477).