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…