UPDATE 2/19 7 PM: It turns out the man who had his jeep broken into found his machete at home so these two cases are, indeed, unrelated.

The robbery case from February 13 is still under active investigation so there are a limited amount of details that can be released. There is a possible connection to a previous car prowl, which we reported on earlier today, but it may also just be a coincidence. Here’s what we do know.

Police have become aware of a possible connection to a car prowl on the morning of the 12th and the Mountlake Terrace park and ride. Here are the order of events that took place:

Friday, February 12

• 8 AM – Kris, a community transit bus driver, saw two teenagers lifting door handles while on a layover at the Mountlake Terrace park and ride.  She had dispatch call the police. Community Transit has their own police, who are Snohomish County sheriff officers. Officers were sent to the P&R, found some teenagers, questioned them and took down some information about them. A report was forwarded to the Mountlake Terrace Police Department some time later.
• 5 PM – Doyle, a CT rider, arrived at the P&R to find his jeep, which was parked in the garage,  had been broken in to. A large bin had been stolen that contained some ski gear. He called MLT PD who came and took a report. Doyle later realizes that a machete may have been in his jeep as well. See update above.
  
• The MLT PD report says that they will later follow up with Community Transit as they may have surveillance video of the break-in.

Saturday, February 13

• 6:30 PM – Four men, one armed with a machete, attacked a man walking home from the store near Mountlake Terrace High School. The four men told the victim to empty his pockets and proceeded to punch him in the face. His phone fell out of his pocket and the men took the phone and ran off. Someone later found the cell phone and turned it in to police.

After hearing about the robbery that involved a machete, Doyle realized that a machete may have also been stolen from his car. Doyle had been out looking at rural property and had used the machete there.

It is unknown at this time if the machete is a mere coincidence or not. Police say they were just informed today, Friday February 19, about the missing machete. They are actively investigating the case.

If you have information about either of the cases, contact the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at (425) 670-8260.