Edmonds Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

A man and woman who were part of a string of thefts at fitness centers, gyms and recreation locations – including Harbor Square Athletic Club in Edmonds – were among who have been arresed and sentenced, thanks to Everett Police and numerous other law enforcement agencies throughout Snohomish, King, and Skagit counties.

Edmonds police investigated Matthew Malouf and Taylor Pounds for incidents related to Harbor Square in 2019, said Edmonds Police Sgt. Josh McClure.

Malouf had charges referred for two counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of second-degree theft.

Pounds had charges referred for second-degree burglary and second-degree theft.

Last year, law enforcement teams investigated multiple cases involving the thefts, which in several cases involved suspects targeting multiple locations on the same day.

Everett Police investigated more than 23 reported cases involving identity theft, theft, possession of stolen property and forgery, with financial losses amounting to thousands of dollars for victims.

Detective Jamie French, with the help of other agencies, Washington's Most Wanted, and Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound, identified 15 suspects involved in the theft ring.

"This was a pyramid-style ring where the suspects played different rolls in the process," said French in an Everett Police Department news release. "Some acted as lookouts while others broke into lockers and either gave stolen bank cards to others or used the cards themselves."

Eleven suspects were arrested and charged in these cases.

"The public was essential in providing investigators information to help identify some of the suspects involved," said French. "We appreciate the help, as identity theft has a huge impact on victims who will deal with the fallout for months, even years."

All suspects in the theft ring have been sentenced. The following is the breakdown of the sentencing:

@Matthew Malouf was arrested in San Diego in November 2019, where he remains in custody. He is being held on multiple ID theft felonies but will be returned to Washington to face charges when he is released.

@Taylor Pounds pled guilty to five counts of ID theft and served three months. Pounds has since been released.

@Mikayla Carabello-Olson pled guilty to one count of ID theft. She was sentenced to 40 days in Snohomish County Jail, and then transferred to King County Jail to face similar charges. Olson has since been released.

@Jesslyn Guzman pled guilty to two counts of ID theft and received a residential DOSA sentencing. (DOSA stands for "Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative.")

She was transferred to California to face similar charges. Guzman has since been released.

@Taylor Freeman pled guilty to residential burglary and five counts of identity theft and attempting to elude. Freeman was sentenced to just under 37 months plus three years of community supervision.

Sukjae "Eric" Woo plead guilty to 15 counts of ID theft, one count of second-degree possession of stolen property and one count of second-degree theft. Woo petitioned for DOSA but was denied. Woo was sentenced to 50 months plus 12 months of community custody.

Jacob Sanner pled guilty to 19 felonies, of which 15 were for ID theft. Sanner also petitioned for DOSA but was denied. Sanner was sentenced to 56 months in prison, plus 12 months community custody for crimes in Snohomish County.

Brianna Reynolds was arrested in Las Vegas in September 2019, where she remains in custody on a fugitive warrant, two counts of grand larceny, and burglary charges. Reynolds but will be returned to Washington to face charges when released.

District Prosecuting Attorney Hal Hupp was part of the ID Theft Task Force handling the Snohomish County cases.

"Prosecutions like these are possible because of the Regional Fraud and ID Theft Task Force combining with multicounty law enforcement agencies and prosecutor's offices working together to battle identity theft," said Hupp.

"These particular cases crossed over from King County to Snohomish County and finally into Skagit County as the ring traveled up and down the I-5 corridor. I want to thank all law enforcement and prosecutors in the adjoining counties for their hard work and efforts."