Felon arrested for $2K in damage during Columbia City restaurant burglary

Seattle police recover all stolen liquor bottles after catching suspect fleeing the scene.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:50pm

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A 37-year-old convicted felon was arrested early this morning for burglarizing a Columbia City restaurant in Seattle. The suspect used a crowbar to break into the Taco City Taqueria, causing over $2,000 in property damage, and stole $400 worth of liquor before fleeing the scene. Police later spotted the suspect carrying a large duffel bag and recovered all of the stolen bottles after reviewing surveillance footage.

Why it matters

Burglaries and property crimes continue to be an ongoing challenge for many small businesses in Seattle, especially in the Columbia City neighborhood which has seen an uptick in criminal activity in recent years. This arrest highlights the importance of security measures and police response in protecting local restaurants and shops.

The details

According to the Seattle Police Department, the burglary occurred just after 4 a.m. at the Taco City Taqueria on Rainier Avenue S. The 37-year-old suspect used a crowbar to break into the restaurant, smash windows, and steal around $400 worth of liquor. When police arrived, the suspect had already fled the scene, but officers searching the area spotted a man carrying a large duffel bag. After reviewing surveillance footage, police placed the man under arrest. The suspect initially denied breaking into the business, but police found all of the stolen liquor bottles inside the duffel bag he was carrying.

  • The burglary happened just after 4 a.m. on March 31, 2026.
  • Police arrested the suspect shortly after the incident occurred.

The players

Seattle Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to and investigated the burglary incident at the Taco City Taqueria.

Taco City Taqueria

The Columbia City restaurant that was targeted in the early morning burglary, sustaining over $2,000 in property damage.

37-year-old suspect

The convicted felon who was arrested for breaking into the restaurant, causing damage, and stealing liquor.

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What they’re saying

“'He did, in fact, deny breaking into the business; however, the investigators conducted a search incident to an arrest, and they found all of those stolen bottles of liquor inside the duffle bag he was carrying.'”

— Detective Eric Muñoz, Seattle Police Department

What’s next

The suspect was booked into the King County Jail on suspicion of commercial burglary. The judge will determine whether to grant him bail at his upcoming court appearance.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges small businesses in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood face with property crimes and burglaries. While police were able to quickly apprehend the suspect and recover the stolen goods, the significant damage caused highlights the need for enhanced security measures and stronger deterrents to protect local restaurants and shops.