Troopers discover trove of stolen goods during I-5 traffic stop

SNOHOMISH COUNTY -- A Washington state trooper got a huge surprise Wednesday when he pulled over a car along I-5. Inside were three people and tens of thousands of dollars in goods stolen all along the I-5 corridor.

"It kind of looks like a department store set up in our office here," said  Sgt. Keith Leary of the Washington State Patrol.

All of the merchandise is now evidence.

"As troopers we don't think we're going to be out here counting bras and pants and perfume during the day, so it's kind of a rare find for us," Leary said.

Troopers took three people into custody on theft charges after the traffic stop.

Sgt. Leary said the trooper noticed a large amount of merchandise in the car and started asking questions. The group from Oakland admitted to driving up and down the I-5 corridor for the past couple of months stopping in malls and stealing nearly $20,000 worth of merchandise.

"That's why our prices go up in stores because people are out there doing stuff like this and this is not a small  haul," Leary said. "$3,000, over 17 pairs of sunglasses, bras that are over $50 a piece ... 30 pairs of pants."

Now troopers hope local retailers will recognize the inventory and the three suspects.