Two downtown Bellingham businesses have break-ins within minutes

BELLINGHAM, Washington — Bellingham Police are investigating a series of rapid-fire commercial burglaries after two downtown businesses were broken into within minutes of each other on Thursday morning.

The incidents occurred back-to-back on September 26, 2024, starting around the early morning hours. Authorities believe that the same suspect or group of suspects is responsible for both occurrences due to the close proximity of the businesses and the identical methods used to gain entry. In both cases, windows were smashed to allow quick access to the cash registers and small, high-value inventory items.

Responding to the initial burglar alarm, officers arrived on the scene only to receive a second alarm trigger from a nearby retail shop just streets away. Despite a rapid response and search of the immediate area with K-9 units, the perpetrators managed to evade capture and flee the scene before a perimeter could be established.

Local business coalitions are expressing growing concern over the security of the downtown commercial district. Bellingham Police have increased patrols in the downtown area during the late-night and early-morning shifts and are urging shopkeepers to leave their cash drawers open and empty overnight to deter smash-and-grab attempts. Anyone with information or security footage from the downtown area is asked to report it to the Bellingham Police Department.