Teen burglars busted in Redmond

REDMOND, Wash. — Redmond police arrested three teenage boys and prosecutors charged them with residential burglary for breaking into a home while the owner was inside

Detectives say the teens, ages 16, 17 and 19, broke into a house on Redmond's Education Hill on Friday around 6 a.m.  According to police, the teens used a knife to cut through the screen of an open window on the back of the house.

The burglars were caught on surveillance cameras inside the house and on a neighbor's surveillance system.  They were armed with a knife and what appeared to be a handgun. Officers later determined the handgun was an airsoft gun. 

Two of the teens were spotted in the house, along with a female accomplice. Another teen was standing guard outside. Police say the teens stole electronics, laptops, and a video game console. 

When investigators reviewed the video, they immediately recognized the 16-year-old. They say he is a convicted felon.  They were able to track down two of the teens later that day as they were driving out of town.

According to Redmond police, the clothes the teens wore during the burglary were inside the vehicle. So was the airsoft gun.

They arrested the third teen later that night. They are still working to identify the teenage girl who was inside the house.

Redmond police are warning parents to talk to their teenagers. They say this could have ended with the teens being shot by a homeowner or police who could have thought the gun was real.

Cox Media Group