Two arrested after ‘major’ burglary ring busted in Bellevue, police say

BELLEVUE, Wash. — Two men are in jail after detectives with the Bellevue Police Department said they broke up a major burglary ring.

Police said Ryan Purvis, 33, and Nathan Wood, 34, cased high-end homes and returned multiple times to steal items.

The pair has been charged with residential burglary, motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property and possession of a stolen vehicle, police said.

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Police said Purvis and Wood would “repeatedly drive through neighborhoods” and note unoccupied homes. Police said they then would return to the homes and steal what they could, including cars.

“In some cases, the suspects would return in the victim’s own vehicle to steal again, leaving the home ransacked,” a spokesperson for the police department said a news release.

Police said a man noticed his father-in-law’s car leaving the neighborhood while his father-in-law was out of town.

Police said the man tried to stop Purvis and Wood, but they got away by driving through a neighbor’s yard. He then called the police.

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Police said they were able to track down and arrest both of them. Officials said Wood was wearing a victim’s Rolex when he was arrested.

Police also noted that Purvis had 10 prior felony convictions at the time of his arrest.

“A search warrant produced three automobiles, multiple car key fobs, several fur coats, a high-end speaker system and hundreds of pieces of jewelry,” police said.

Police said the stolen property amounted to at least $200,000 – not including the cars.

Police said there are more victims and cases related to the burglary ring in Bellevue, Kirkland, Mercer Island and unincorporated King County near Redmond.

Detectives said they are working with law enforcement agencies in those areas and additional charges could be coming.

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