Seattle man charged in 5,748 Sunglass Hut thefts in Tukwila

Hussein Omar Ali, a 28-year-old man from Seattle, has been charged with first-degree organized retail theft after allegedly stealing over $5,700 worth of sunglasses from the Sunglass Hut at Tukwila's Southcenter Mall. The incidents occurred in June 2024, with the first theft involving six pairs of sunglasses valued at $2,738 and a second theft two days later totaling $3,010. King County prosecutors have filed charges and requested a bail amount of $50,000, emphasizing Ali's extensive history of failing to appear in court and committing further offenses while on release. His criminal background spans over a decade and includes various convictions for burglary, robbery, and theft. Furthermore, he currently faces seven other pending felony cases, which include organized retail theft and firearm possession.

The prosecution is also seeking a no-contact order with any Sunglass Hut in King County, alongside standard release conditions. Ali's record includes 58 warrants issued for his arrest since 2013, highlighting the ongoing issues with his compliance with the law. This case underscores significant concerns regarding repeat offenders in organized retail theft, raising questions about the efficacy of current legal measures.