'Mole Man' burglar targeting South Seattle businesses
SEATTLE -- At least six businesses in the Georgetown and SoDo neighborhoods have been burglarized in the past three months, and police say the thief or thieves are using an unusual technique to get inside the buildings.
"They came through the return exhaust vent," said Tony Diaz of American Pie, which was burglarized this week. "It's crazy because that's actually between the ceiling and the roof."
Once the thief got inside, things got even weirder.
Bypassing more valuable items, the thief stole only a few rolls of change, a knife and a Mariners baseball cap.
"My Mariners hat that my dad gave me, which is like my favorite hat," Diaz said.
But the burglar didn't stop there. Next, he cut a hole in the wall and went to into the neighboring café and bakery.
After learning of the burglar's strange techniques, local business owners decided to give him a nickname: The Mole Man.
It's an appropriate name, considering the thief also burrowed his way through Stellar Pizza & Ale in January.
"There was a hole burrowed through the office, which was really crazy to find," said Angie Legg. "Managed to get away with some quarters from our pool table and juke box."
The Mole Man might not be getting away with much money, but business owners say he's damaging their buildings.
"The mole man is extremely obnoxious," Legg said. "He's a total nuisance. The mole man is a total nuisance."
Police aren't sure if the burglaries are being committed by one person or a group of people, but they're investigating all the cases and will meet with business owners on Tuesday.
"They came through the return exhaust vent," said Tony Diaz of American Pie, which was burglarized this week. "It's crazy because that's actually between the ceiling and the roof."
Once the thief got inside, things got even weirder.
Bypassing more valuable items, the thief stole only a few rolls of change, a knife and a Mariners baseball cap.
"My Mariners hat that my dad gave me, which is like my favorite hat," Diaz said.
But the burglar didn't stop there. Next, he cut a hole in the wall and went to into the neighboring café and bakery.
After learning of the burglar's strange techniques, local business owners decided to give him a nickname: The Mole Man.
It's an appropriate name, considering the thief also burrowed his way through Stellar Pizza & Ale in January.
"There was a hole burrowed through the office, which was really crazy to find," said Angie Legg. "Managed to get away with some quarters from our pool table and juke box."
The Mole Man might not be getting away with much money, but business owners say he's damaging their buildings.
"The mole man is extremely obnoxious," Legg said. "He's a total nuisance. The mole man is a total nuisance."
Police aren't sure if the burglaries are being committed by one person or a group of people, but they're investigating all the cases and will meet with business owners on Tuesday.
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