By Exildah Smith
University of Washington communications intern

Last February, a burglary occurred at Westgate Gold and Antiques in Firdale Village. But there was more to the story than meets the eye. The perpetrators included a pair of Westgate-area brothers who are well-known to their neighbors. But people in that neighborhood are so afraid of these brothers — due to their criminal history — that they wouldn’t talk to us on the record about their concerns.

We are writing about this in the hope that it will generate discussion among Edmonds residents about how to avoid being a crime victim.

Our story starts on Feb. 22, 2012, at 2:58 a.m., when an alarm went off at Westgate Gold and Antiques in Firdale. Edmonds police responded to what appeared to be a commercial burglary and upon arrival it was clear the thieves were interrupted by the alarm system.

According to police reports, the first suspect, Michael David James, 31, was arrested as he walked to his car not far from the crime scene. Police found on James a two-way radio believed to be the communication device used among the burglars. James’ role was believed to be that of getaway driver, but the immediate alarms had caused the thieves to scatter out of range of their radio signal.

With the names of the suspects involved in the burglary, the police set out to look for brothers Nicholas Ryan Cook, 27, and Randolph Michael Cook, 28, and David Tan, 32.  Some of the suspects were known to police. “I had arrested Nick in the past,” said Officer Mark Froland, one of the arresting officers, during a recent interview with My Edmonds News.

Since police knew who they were looking for that night in February, they immediately headed to the Cooks’ parents’ home in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood. There they apprehended Randy Cook and David Tan. Upon receipt of a warrant hours later, the police entered the Cook home and found drug paraphernalia, but a search did not turn up Nick.

The next day, police received an anonymous call that led them to the Rodeway Inn on Aurora Avenue in Shoreline. Officer Froland and other officers set up surveillance outside what was believed to be Nick Cook’s motel room, which was rented under his girlfriend’s name. She was arrested for providing misleading information to law enforcement officers about Nick Cook’s whereabouts. During surveillance, Nick Cook was seen leaving his room and heading to the motel office, where he was arrested. “We cornered him,” said Froland.

Once Nick Cook was in custody, a search warrant was served to have the hotel room searched. The police reports indicate the sum of $937 was retrieved, along with several syringes and other drug paraphernalia.

According to Froland, Nick Cook was charged with numerous offenses, including court order violations, burglary, theft and driving without a license. He was sentenced to 38 months in jail.

When asked where the brothers are now, Froland said that Randy Cook is now out of jail but brother Nick is still incarcerated.

Froland had some tips for Edmonds residents who are worried about possible crime activity in their neighborhood: Communicate with each other, call 911 and keep everything “locked up.”

Editor’s note: My Edmonds News policy requires first and last names of all those commenting. However if you live in this neighborhood and have a comment to add, please email it to teresa@myedmondsnews.com and we will compile them into a roundup for posting, with no identities being included.