22 cab drivers busted in downtown theft ring

SEATTLE - Seattle Police bust a major theft ring, involving almost two dozen taxi cab drivers. Investigators say the trafficking of stolen goods was going on for at least four years.

Seattle Police called the undercover investigation "Operation Yellow Jacket." Stolen property was peddled to at least 22 taxi cab drivers who lined up in the Westlake Center area along 6th Avenue near Stewart Street.

Many cabbies didn't want to talk about it, but those who were willing admitted they were stunned.

"I'm very shocked," says Mercha Baneku, who has been a cab driver for two-and-a-half ye

ars. "Twenty-two cab drivers arrested! That is a lot of cab drivers."

Seattle Police surveillance video shows shoplifter after shoplifter, who allegedly stole merchandise from downtown businesses. They are seen getting into the back of taxi cabs, many of them with backpacks or shopping bags. From the cab's backseat, police say they would sell their stolen goods to the driver.

"It's a big shock actually," says cab driver Worba Wako. "More than a surprise, it's a big shock."

Investigators say some drivers would place orders for stolen goods. In the surveillance video, you can see the thieves removing the security tags and the anti-theft devices from the merchandise right on the sidewalk.

The video shows one of the thieves being interrogated, and he told police how it worked.

"He come pick me up and gave me $20 for perfumes. I did that four times, five times," said the unidentified suspect.

"It is pretty amazing that it was right under everyone's nose, right downtown," said one passerby.

The shock is shared by many, but some who live and work in downtown say cab drivers are tight knit.

"It is absolutely crazy," said another woman walking with her husband. "I guess I'm not really surprised. The cabs have quite a connection with one another.

Three parking lot attendants who were employees of I-park were also arrested for buying the stolen property.

Police say the cab drivers all came from different companies, and that they have no evidence that any other taxi cab stand is involved.

The suspects arrested are being booked into the King County Jail on a number of felony and misdemeanor charges.