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WMW viewer tips help catch 10-time felon cops say is linked to dispicable 'obituary burglaries', Lenne Edwardson

By Steve Roberts
Published  June 5, 2013 12:08pm PDT
FOX 13 Seattle

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FUGITIVE CAPTURED June 4, 2013 --
Kent police say WMW viewer tips called into Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound led King County detectives to a home near Lake Lucerne in Maple Valley -- where Lenne Edwardson was hiding.

FUGITIVE WANTED IN KENT May 10, 2013 --
They’re the lowest of the low -- crooks who use obituaries to find victims -- ripping them off while they lay their loved ones to rest.

And, when it comes to ‘obituary burglars’, Kent police say 10-time felon, Lenne Edwardson, is one of the worst. "With Lenne in particular, he has a history of the same crimes and being suspected of doing similar crimes,” says Kent Det. Melanie Frazier.

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Detectives say the above photo is Edwardson caught on camera -- and disguised in a wig and sunglasses -- at one of several stores where he's accused of using a grieving widow's stolen credit card.

The 76 year old woman we'll call ‘Karolyn’, was already suffering the loss of her husband, and now having to deal with a heartless crime. "The pain of it,” she says. “The disbelief almost brings you down to your knees."

The day she buried the decorated WWII veteran, someone smashed her bathroom window and ransacked the place -- swiping not just her credit cards -- but over $20,000 worth of jewelry and  family mementos. "That even a human being could conceive to do something so evil when people are already so vulnerable."

Police say crooks comb the obituaries searching for victims, knowing the house will be empty and it's the perfect time to strike. "There`s no good crime,” says Kent police Asst. Chief Pat Lowery. “But, this is about as despicable as it gets. To prey on an elderly widowed person. Really shows no compassion for anything about humanity whatsoever."

Detectives say if they can get Edwardson in cuffs, they'll likely be able to nail him with the heist at ‘Karolyn's’ house, and many more obituary burglaries that Det. Frazier says he's linked to. "He's very well known. He's very well-known to the King County Sheriff's Office. We've all had run-ins with him, and he's a regular repeat offender."

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Here are the details on LENNE EDWARDSON:

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    He’s pretty-much bald, but as you saw from that surveillance photo, cops say he'll sport a wig to try and disguise himself.

    If you know where he is, call an anonymous tip into:

    CRIME STOPPERS: 1-800-222-TIPS

    You must call the Crime Stoppers hotline with your tip to be eligible to receive a cash reward for information leading to a fugitive’s arrest.

    CLICK HERE for information on how to TEXT A TIP to Crime Stoppers