Seattle police arrested five people from a vacant building in the University District this week.
Seattle police arrested five people from a vacant building in the University District this week, where investigators say the occupants had restored electricity and installed a surveillance system, and officers also recovered several guns and drugs.
Officers were dispatched at around 1:50 p.m. Tuesday to the 4200 block of 8th Avenue Northeast after the property owners reported people were living inside.
The owners recently discovered the trespassers despite the home being vacant for years. It's still unknown how long people were occupying the empty residence, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) confirmed.
Residents living nearby were shocked to learn of the situation and said it's left them rethinking their safety.
"I feel like I'm not going to be walking around at night alone, and I'm definitely not going to wear my headphones around this area," said Ella Ancheta.
Police said the occupants had restored power to the building and installed several surveillance cameras.
"It's not unheard of, but it's always very surprising," said Detective Shane Weatherford, with SPD.
Officers contacted 14 people inside the building and arrested five of them on outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants from multiple jurisdictions.
Police booked a 42-year-old woman, a 39-year-old woman and two 32-year-old men into the King County jail on their warrants and for trespassing. A 36-year-old man was arrested on a felony warrant and booked into the Snohomish County jail.
During the investigation, officers recovered four rifles, several magazines, ammunition, drugs, and cash from inside the building. They also found three stolen electric bikes in the backyard.
Other neighbors living on the same block told KOMO News they've been hearing loud shouting and what sounded like fireworks going off in the middle of the night for months now, which makes police's bust less surprising.
"This stuff is loud; it's definitely disturbing," said Lee King. "I'm a heavy sleeper, and if it's going to wake me up at three, four a.m., they must be doing something crazy."
Seattle Animal Control removed eight dogs from the property — four adult dogs and four puppies — and took them to the Seattle Animal Shelter for care.
Seattle Animal Control took 4 dogs and 4 puppies and then transported them to the Seattle Humane Society, where they are receiving care. (Seattle Police Department)SPD's Narcotics Unit is leading the follow-up investigation. While it remains active, detectives said additional arrests or charges, including for the trespassers not arrested this week, could be likely.
The department said one of the dogs, Nala, a 2-year-old gray and white pit bull mix recovered from the building, can be viewed at the Seattle Animal Shelter, along with other animals available for adoption.
