Police: Burglar found sleeping on the job

MUKILTEO, Wash. — A Mukilteo couple came home late Thursday to find a man passed out on the floor of their apartment in the 5300 block of Harbour Pointe Boulevard, according to a Snohomish County police report.

When officers arrived, they saw the man still lying on the living room floor near a shattered sliding glass door.

Officers gave the man verbal commands to show his hands. When they gained control of the suspect and placed him in handcuffs, they noticed the man was "very" slow to respond and smelled of alcohol.

Police said the man, who was identified as Tyler J. Peterson, 30, had various items in the pockets of his clothes. An officer pulled out jewelry, some stuffed animal key chains and a small silver jewelry box from Peterson's zip-up sweater. The resident of the apartment said the items belonged to her.

Some measuring spoons, a toothbrush, shaving razors, syringes, crumpled foil and a small plastic baggie with white powder were found in his pants pockets. The powder later tested positive for methamphetamines, according to the police report.

Peterson told police that a woman let him into the apartment. Police asked if the couple knew Peterson. They said they did not.

The couple showed police food on the counter they did not leave out.

The officer also found two backpacks containing electronics that appeared to have been packed by Peterson.

Peterson was arrested on charges of suspicion of residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

KIRO