Federal Way police released photos Thursday morning of a person of interest in vehicle prowls.
The Federal Way Police Department also provided a phone number for tips.
Anyone who submits a tip to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound through the P3Tips app or its phone hotline is guaranteed complete anonymity and could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information leads to an arrest and charges, according to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound.
A Felony Charge Under Washington Law
Should a suspect be identified and charged, Washington state law treats burglary cases seriously. Residential burglary and second-degree burglary are classified as Class B felonies under RCW 9A.52.025 and RCW 9A.52.030, carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines as high as $20,000, per Claire Highland Law.
The appeal for help comes even as Federal Way has seen a sharp, multi-year decline in property crime. Preliminary statistics announced by the City of Federal Way showed residential burglaries dropped 51% and commercial burglaries fell 47% during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Burglaries Down 60% Since 2023
The trend stretches back further. Total reported burglaries in Federal Way fell 60%, from 622 incidents in 2023 down to 250 in 2025, according to KING 5 News. Local city leaders have attributed part of the decline to changes in vehicle-pursuit authority and renewed enforcement of state drug laws, the station reports.
The Federal Way Police Department, led by Police Chief Andy Hwang, has also grown its ranks in recent years, expanding its sworn officer workforce to 154 officers in 2026, up from roughly 120 officers during the pandemic era, the same report notes. Hwang's department has been in the local news before, including in its response to a car crash near Fishers Pond last month.
Federal Way police have asked residents to share information about vehicle prowls.
Reporting Tips
Residents with information about the vehicle prowls can call Federal Way police at 253-835-2121.
Burglary investigations in the area sometimes cross jurisdictional lines. On Aug. 15, 2024, regional law enforcement executed a search warrant in an investigation involving family members linked to several burglaries and thefts across Bellevue, Newcastle, and Kirkland. Daniel Bateman was arrested in Federal Way on Aug. 26, 2024, as Hoodline reported at the time in its coverage of a Bellevue family's crime spree. For now, the identity of the person of interest in the vehicle-prowl case remains unknown, and police are relying on the public to help identify the person in the released photos.
