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Airbnb burglary suspects arrested, Bellevue homeowner still suffering

A Bellevue man put his house for rent on Airbnb and police said he was ripped off by thieves.

Mehdi Beygi rented out his house last summer. When he came to check on the house on July 23rd, he found his own belongings piled in the driveway, the inside of his house and shed in the backyard were cleared out.

The burglary suspects were still there. When he confronted them they jumped in a dark-colored car and left.

"I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it," said Beygi, “I believe they were going to empty the house if they had the chance.”

Beygi locked his most valuable belongings in a shed and hidden them under a tarp. That didn't stop the suspects, who Beygi said took $177,000 worth of his belongings, from his wife's makeup, clothes, and jewelry, to a stamp collection and expensive bicycle.

But the problems didn't stop there. Beygi said they took household items too -- even laundry detergent.

Bellevue Police detectives tracked down and arrested three of the burglary suspects. The suspects left a QFC receipt in the house and detectives were able to identify them through the credit card transaction and surveillance video in the store. Yesterday police sent the case to the prosecutor's office to file charges.

Beygi is relieved to hear the suspects were caught. He said he doesn't want another homeowner to go through the same situation.

Beygi said he's being victimized again by Airbnb and their lack of response to his claim.

The company promises "The $1,000,000 Host Guarantee. Peace of mind. Guaranteed."

>> Read Airbnb's explainer on its guarantee 

But Beygi says he hasn't had peace of mind for four months. He's battling out who will pay between Airbnb and Pemco Insurance.

He says Airbnb pushed him to filed a claim with his own insurance. Today Airbnb told us because he had opened a claim with his insurance company, unfortunately they can't issue payment until that process is complete. Pemco said it is working to help the insured.

So far he hasn't received a penny from Airbnb.

Beygi says so far Pemco sent him a check for $3500, but says that isn't nearly enough, and will likely increase his premiums.

"If something goes bad nobody's there to help you," said Beygi.

The thieves booked the stay at Beygi's house using the "instant booking" option. Beygi did not communicate with the potential renters before agreeing to the stay.

Bellevue police are warning homeowners not to use the instant booking option, and are telling homeowners to check out potential renters by reviews from previous stays before letting them into their home.

"We would recommend you not use that feature. Take the time to contact the prospective renter, look at the reviews, make sure they have positive reviews," said Officer Seth Tyler, Bellevue Police Department.

Beygi is a software engineer and uses Airbnb when he travels. He hadn't had any problems hosting before. He says he'll never host again.

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