Prolific Burglary Suspect Arrested, Charged In Pierce County

PIERCE COUNTY, WA — Pierce County prosecutors charged a man Tuesday suspected in a string of commercial burglaries and ATM thefts late last year. The Pierce County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday identified the suspect as Kevin Michael Woods, 45, who was arrested by property crimes investigators on Monday.

In a news release, investigators said Woods was connected to at least three cases and a suspect in others, with more charges likely to follow.

Detectives allege Woods broke into a South Hill bar on 176th Street East last November, stole a safe from the office and attempted to steal an ATM. The next day, he is accused of breaking into another bar on Pacific Avenue South in Spanaway and stealing an ATM.

Later that month, detectives said Woods broke into a third bar on Mountain Highway East, between Graham and Eatonville, attempting to seal another ATM and a coin machine.

"In many of the burglaries, Woods used a unique, homemade prybar and a yellow reciprocating saw, which were captured on surveillance video," investigators wrote Wednesday. "Both items were located during a search of Woods' vehicle."

The charges filed Tuesday include three counts of second-degree burglary and two counts of theft, and Woods was also arraigned on a separate domestic violence warrant. The combined bail amount from both cases is $75,000.