Crime
Suspect Arrested In String Of ‘High-Value’ Guitar Center Thefts, 2 Suspects Still Unidentified
Authorities in Washington state say a suspect in a series of “high-value” thefts at Guitar Center locations along the West Coast has been arrested.
The Redmond Police Department said the investigation began on Nov. 13, 2025, when officers responded to a reported theft at the Guitar Center location at 7430 164th Ave NE in Redmond. Staff reported that a $3,000 guitar had been stolen in October by three suspects working together.
Detectives found a matching guitar at a local pawn shop, and staff there reported that the same man had pawned multiple “high-value instruments” in a short period of time. Detectives linked a suspect to “at least” 15 pawn shop transactions involving stolen instruments.
Pawn shop records, surveillance video, and a “distinctive neck tattoo” identified 34-year-old Armando Jacome Vignaud as a suspect.
On March 21, 2026, police responded to another reported theft at the same Redmond Guitar Center location, and confirmed Vignaud was involved.
Vignaud was arrested on March 26 and charged with theft in the second degree.
“This arrest is what premier law enforcement looks like in practice,” said Redmond Chief Darrell Lowe. “Organized retail theft is a serious, coordinated crime, and we treat it that way. Our detectives are diligent, they are persistent, and they are dedicated to holding criminals accountable.”
The identities of the other two suspects involved in the thefts remain unknown, police said. anyone with information is asked to contact the Redmond Police Department at 425-556-2500 and ask to speak with a detective.
