Seattle police are searching for three male suspects involved in two robberies at a mosque and a nearby residence over the weekend.
Seattle police on Sunday released a video showing three suspects wandering around a home, then entering and stealing personal items. However, before the home invasion, the same person was seen breaking into a community mosque two doors down, Fox 13 Seattle reported.
The Cham refugee community posted on social media: “On Sunday, three men trespassed onto our property. The community and community are in high spirits as multiple centers are targeted, including the Federal Way Islamic Center and the Seattle Sikh Center. We call on surrounding centers to exercise caution and vigilance.” .
Cham Refugee Center Director Sarafain Apadro told Fox 13 that he learned the men were wandering inside the mosque after reviewing surveillance footage.
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Three male suspects were captured on camera wandering around the mosque and then breaking into a nearby residence. (FOX13 Seattle)
“We actually own two properties next door,” Apadro said. “A tenant reported that their property had been broken into and several items stolen. They also asked us to review the footage.”
Police reviewed the footage and confirmed that the same three men were seen on multiple cameras entering the building before breaking into a nearby home.
“It leaves us vulnerable,” Apadro said. “It’s also disheartening because we’re just trying to practice our faith and protect ourselves most of the time.”
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Seattle police are searching Sunday for three male suspects believed to be involved in a mosque and nearby home invasion. (FOX13 Seattle)
Apadro told Fox 13 that the men entered the community and religious center during a prayer break.
“They didn’t come here to pray,” he said. “Usually people take off their shoes. They came in with their shoes on. They were also acting suspiciously. They were also seen looking into our donation boxes. .You can tell they’re kind of checking out the room.”
Apadro added that the men suddenly became frightened and ran away before taking away their valuables.
“This is an Islamic center, so we have prayers five times a day,” Apadro said. “They noticed people coming towards them and managed to rescue them.”
Seattle police are investigating both incidents and are looking into the possibility that the three men may also be connected to another robbery at another place of worship.
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On Sunday, three men were caught on video trespassing at a mosque and a nearby residence. (Cham refugee community)
Anyone with information about the suspect is encouraged to call the Seattle Police Department tip line at 206-233-5000.
The Cham Refugee Center did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
