A Renton, Washington, real estate broker is awaiting arraignment on burglary charges after a seller caught him stealing prescription drugs from his bedroom nightstand.
Earlier this month, former Windermere broker Aaron Peterson approached Doug Wright, a homeowner who was looking to sell his property. Peterson told Wright he had a potential buyer who liked the home and wanted to schedule a walkthrough.
Still from security camera footage published by KOMO News.
At the time of the walkthrough, Wright wasn’t home, but he kept an eye on the premises with a mobile app that allowed him to check his security cameras.
Wright immediately noticed something was wrong when Peterson arrived alone, and he was alarmed when he saw the broker frantically searching through his bedroom.
Peterson made his way to the seller’s nightstand and discovered a bottle of prescription pills. He subsequently stood there and took the bottle.
“I’m watching it live, and I’m like, ‘Holy cow, this guy is ripping me off,'” said Doug Wright to KOMO reporter Kristen Drew.
“Part of it was just amazement. I was talking to my phone. I was like, ‘Dude, there’s a camera right in your face.'”
The next day, Peterson, unaware that Wright saw him stealing the pills, sent a text to Wright saying that he had another buyer who liked the home.
Wright played along, and Peterson was arrested by local detectives as he exited the house after the second visit.
In response to the situation, Windermere spokesperson Shelley Rossi said: “Windermere has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to matters such as this, so upon learning of this incident, Aaron was immediately terminated.”
Windermere also alerted the Washington Department of Licensing and suggested that Peterson’s license be revoked.
Peterson’s arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 23.