Yun Lee, age 82, of Bethel was taken into custody at the scene and charged with Possession of Stolen Property and Promoting Gambling in Bethel, Alaska on January 27, 2023, said Bethel Police.
Bethel PD patrol division officer Corey Murray was called to the scene of a commercial burglary early this week.
“In an outstanding show of professionalism and on his own initiative, Officer Murray not only gathered vital information at the scene, but followed up on that information and in a matter of hours identified suspects and a location where it was believed large amounts of stolen property was being kept,” said the Bethel Police Department in a press release. “The information was provided to the Criminal Investigations Division and Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant based on Officer Murray’s initial investigation.”
Just before dawn on January 27, 2023 Detectives and Officers executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 400th block of 6th Ave. A large quantity of property identified as stolen from both commercial and retail businesses in Bethel was recovered at this location. Also found was evidence related to illegal gambling activity.
Items seized and recovered included electronics, tools, and building materials. Also found were several hundred unopened and opened decks of playing cards, as well as other gambling paraphernalia. Some property whose owners could be identified and contacted was documented and then released back to the owner. Yun Lee was arrested at the scene and charged with 2nd Degree Theft and 2nd Degree Promoting Gambling, according to court documents.
