LYNNWOOD—In the early hours of August 14, 2025, Joshua De La Cruz, the 37-year-old brother of Lynnwood lawmaker City Councilwoman Derica Escamilla, was arrested on a charge of third-degree theft following an alleged incident involving stolen packages and mail from a residential porch. The case, handled by the Lynnwood Police Department, has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest within the city’s judicial and prosecutorial systems, given De La Cruz’s familial ties to a sitting council member.
According to a police report authored by Lynnwood Police Sergeant Jerome Riener, the incident unfolded just before dawn when officers responded to a 911 call from resident Roman Barlet at approximately 5:13 a.m. Barlet reported that two females and a male had stolen a package from the front door of his Lynnwood home and were also checking nearby mailboxes. He provided video footage of the theft to Officer Riener.
Officers arrived in the area around 5:17 a.m. and spotted three individuals matching the description walking southbound on 48th Ave. W near 188th St. SW. De La Cruz, along with two women identified as Sherel Baker and Tricia Graff, were detained. De La Cruz was observed holding a dark clothing item, later found to contain mail from nearby addresses not belonging to him. Graff was carrying two small green boxes, and a third matching box was discovered on De La Cruz during a search. Barlet confirmed the stolen items were three boxes of gaming cards.
The video evidence showed a woman, consistent with Baker’s appearance—dressed in dark clothing with her hair in a bun—approaching the porch, grabbing the package, and fleeing. Shortly after, the trio was seen passing the residence, with one individual checking a mailbox.
Additional mail recovered from the suspects included items addressed to residents of several nearby homes. Victims contacted by police provided statements denying permission for anyone to possess their mail.
All three suspects were arrested for third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor.
De La Cruz, who lives next door to Escamilla, had an outstanding warrant from Mill Creek and another from Grant County, was booked into Lynnwood jail. Graff was cited and released at the scene after the items were recovered. Baker was transported to the Lynnwood Police Department for further search, where additional mail was found concealed in her clothing; she was then cited and released.
Officers also booked two knives found on De La Cruz—a mini butterfly knife and another with a blade over 3.5 inches—deemed illegal to possess, along with a debit card in the name of Thu Nguyen, for which no owner could be contacted.
The case took an unusual turn during De La Cruz’s arraignment on August 15, 2025, at Lynnwood Municipal Court. Lynnwood Court Commissioner Robert Grant, upon confirming De La Cruz’s relation to Councilwoman Escamilla, recused himself, stating he needed to “find someone else to cover this matter.”
The city prosecutor also cited a conflict, noting their office’s involvement. Escamilla, as a council member, participates in decisions affecting the budgets and operations of the court and city attorney’s office, prompting recusals to avoid any appearance of impropriety. De La Cruz was released on his own recognizance without bail.
At a subsequent hearing on September 10, 2025, before a new judge, De La Cruz’s request to reschedule the proceedings to November 5, 2025—the day after the general election—was granted. Court documents indicate he is seeking a jury trial. The case remains pending.
De La Cruz’s criminal history, as documented by the Washington State Patrol, includes several prior arrests and convictions.
On February 9, 2025, he was arrested for second-degree burglary, a Class B felony, by the Edmonds Police Department, with the case still pending. He was convicted on June 2, 2024, of attempted second-degree assault, a Class C felony. Earlier records show a November 20, 2008, misdemeanor conviction for second-degree criminal trespass in Grant County, and a June 2, 2004, Class C felony conviction for attempted second-degree assault, also in Grant County.
Allegations of gang affiliations have also surfaced in connection with De La Cruz.
In early November 2024, an anonymous letter was distributed to city officials, including the Lynnwood City Attorney’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Municipal Court Judge Valerie Boufflou, Police Chief Cole Langdon, Mayor Christine Frizzell, the City Council, and the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club. The letter claimed De La Cruz was a known drug dealer and active member of the Norteños, a Latino street gang originating in northern California, as described by the U.S. Department of Justice. The members of the Norteños gang were initially part of the CA prison gang, Mexican Mafia, but later formed their own group when they were not protected or treated fairly in prison.
Escamilla publicly denied these allegations to the Lynnwood Times back in November 2024 stating that her brother does not live with her and has not committed crimes in her home. She acknowledged he stayed with her temporarily but was asked to leave after an incident involving a stolen credit card charge, which was later dropped.
She described her brother’s past as “checkered” but said he left that lifestyle behind upon becoming a father, though he recently associated with “troublemakers.” Escamilla shared that her bother was once listed as a gang member in Eastern Washington due to associations with Norteños but claims he has no such ties since moving to Lynnwood.
Other incidents involving De La Cruz at Escamilla’s residence have been documented in law enforcement records obtained by the Lynnwood Times. On May 12, 2024, he was present during a police raid at Escamilla’s home, where officers, with drawn AR-15s and a less lethal 40 mm rubber bullet projectile device, attempted an arrest of a known fugitive staying on Escamilla’s property. Additional police-related observations include:
- April 19, 2024, at 12:15 a.m.: Law enforcement surveilling the home of Escamilla for a fugitive observed De La Cruz smoking what they believed to be methamphetamine.
- July 24, 2024, at 6:55 p.m.: Escamilla contacted Lynnwood Police to retrieve her car keys as these were in the possession of her brother, De La Cruz at the time of his arrest. The Lynnwood Times is investigating allegations that Escamilla’s vehicle has been used in numerous criminal activities, including armed robbery.
The Lynnwood Today first reported the porch piracy incident back in August 2025, however, names of suspects and associations to Escamilla were not mentioned in their article.
Author: Mario Lotmore
One Response
Thanks Lynnwood Times for keeping us informed