Stolen Christmas trees and suspect found at makeshift tree lot in Federal Way
The Grinch-like suspect who allegedly stole 78 Christmas trees earlier this week has been caught.
Federal Way police detectives stopped a stolen truck around 1:30 p.m. Friday as it pulled into a Christmas tree lot near the 28800 block of Pacific Highway South. The lot had a sign reading, “Farm Fresh” and offering free cocoa.
“It appears the suspect was selling the stolen trees at the makeshift tree lot where he was stopped,” said Federal Way police spokesman Kurt Schwan. “Fifty-five Christmas trees were recovered.”
Schwan said the suspect, a 54-year-old man who was not identified, admitted to stealing the trees from Snow Shoe Evergreen Christmas Tree Farm on state Route 162 East outside Puyallup earlier in the week.
The suspect was arrested for being in possession of the stolen truck as well as multiple warrants, Schwan said. The suspect also was in possession of a stolen cargo trailer, decorated with wreaths, and a fifth-wheel camp trailer, he said.
The trees were worth more than $6,000, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.
This story was originally published December 14, 2019 at 2:49 PM.
