Kent Police arrested a 45-year-old man on a $500,000 warrant out of Idaho for rape of a minor and criminal trespassing after he reportedly posed as a contractor to move into a home on Lake Meridian.
Officers were dispatched Friday, Dec. 8 to a home in the 26700 block of 138th Place SE, according to a Dec. 11 Kent Police news release. The homeowners had hired a contractor for an extensive home remodeling project, which had been ongoing for awhile.
About 10 days ago, the owners discovered the contractor reportedly had changed the door locks and refused entry to the owners, according to police. The owners had tried several times to access the property but were denied.
Five Kent officers arrived at the home and tried to contact the man and his girlfriend. The pair reportedly refused multiple attempts and commands to come to the door to communicate with officers.
With the owner’s permission, the officers entered the house and detained the couple, according to police. They reportedly had moved their property into the residence and were squatting inside the home without permission.
The man, claiming to be a contractor, initially lied about his name to police, but using a fingerprint scanner he was identified as a 45-year-old man from Idaho, who had a $500,000 warrant for rape of a minor. He was arrested as a fugitive from justice. Officers booked the man into the King County jail and he is awaiting extradition to Idaho. He has also been charged with first-degree criminal trespass for living at the home.
His companion, a 35-year-old Yelm woman, was arrested for first-degree criminal trespass and booked into the city of Kent jail.
Officers allegedly found a shotgun with no serial number on it inside the home, and a work trailer with a stolen plate attached in the driveway. Both of those items were removed from the property by officers.
Police advise that if you’re having work done on your business or home, please take the extra time to vet your contractor.
“If the seem fishy, they likely are,” according to police.
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