Three arrested following Enumclaw ‘smoke shop’ burglaries

Two shops were broken into three times in early July.

Three robberies and three arrests – that’s the track record for the Enumclaw Police Department in the wake of recent “smoke shop” break-ins.

EPD spokesman Commander Tim Floyd confirmed that three men, all in their 20s, have been charged with second-degree burglary by the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Arrested and booked by Enumclaw police were Clarence Hollis, Seth Belford and Josh Ennis.

Floyd reported that Top Smoke was burglarized twice, at about 2 a.m. on July 4 and 15, while Vape and Smoke was targeted at about 1 a.m. July 7. Top Smoke is at 741 Stevenson Ave. and Vape and Smoke is found at 248 Roosevelt Ave.

All three burglaries were of the “smash and grab” variety, Floyd said, explaining that windows were shattered to allow entry. Once inside, thieves did not get away with cash, satisfied to make off with cigarettes and vaping devices.

Video proved to be the thieves’ downfall, Floyd said. One suspect was identified after police reviewed a surveillance camera and one arrest soon turned into three.

Floyd noted the arrests were the result of a departmentwide effort involving both patrol units and detectives.

“Teamwork is something we emphasize and this was a perfect example,” he said. “Six or seven people had a hand in getting this done.”

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