KPD Arrest Suspect in Regional Organized Retail Theft Investigation
Published on July 23, 2026
Media Contact:
Sgt. Eric Karp
Public Information Officer
KPDPIO@kirklandwa.gov
Kirkland, WA – Detectives with the Kirkland Police Department's ProAct Unit arrested a suspect believed to be responsible for stealing an estimated $500,000 in fragrance products and other merchandise from stores across multiple jurisdictions, including businesses in Kirkland.
The arrest followed a months-long investigation conducted in partnership with regional loss prevention professionals and law enforcement agencies throughout the Puget Sound region.
On July 16, ProAct detectives served a search warrant at the suspect's Kent residence. As they moved in to arrest the suspect, he attempted to flee from a second-story window. Officers apprehended him and took him into custody. Neither the suspect nor the officers were injured.
During the search, detectives recovered additional evidence believed to be connected to the investigation.
The Kirkland Police Department is forwarding charges of Organized Retail Theft in the First Degree to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office for review. The suspect remains in custody at the King County Jail; bail is set at $255,000.
“Organized retail theft doesn’t just impact businesses – it affects employees, customers, and our entire community,” said Police Chief Mike St. Jean. “This investigation is a great example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement and retailers work together to identify prolific offenders and hold them accountable.”
The Kirkland Police Department thanks the regional loss prevention professionals and our law enforcement partners whose collaboration and information sharing were instrumental in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.
About the ProAct Unit
The ProAct Unit is the Kirkland Police Department's proactive investigations team, established after Kirkland voters approved the Enhanced Police Services and Community Safety Ballot Measure (Proposition 1). Detectives focus on identifying and disrupting prolific offenders, property crimes, and emerging crime trends through intelligence-led investigations and strong regional partnerships.
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