PROWLED: Officers on Nov. 20 were called to the 7400 block of Meyers Road for a report of a vehicle prowl. The reporting party told police that an unknown person took a laptop computer and a GPS device from his vehicle, which was unlocked. The laptop is valued at $800 and the GPS at $300. Police are investigating.
SPARE ME YOUR FISHTAILS: An officer on patrol Nov. 23 witnessed in the Regal Cinemas parking lot a vehicle spinning around in the snow and ice covering the lot. The officer noted watching the car “fishtail” around a street lamp. The vehicle then approached a pedestrian and began spinning circles around him, at which time the officer activated his lights and approached the vehicle. The driver was identified as a juvenile who only had an instruction permit. The pedestrian was identified as the owner of the vehicle and said he allowed it to see if the driver knew how to “drift.” Parents were called and the car was released to the registered owner while the driver was cited and released for reckless driving.
MISSING MONEY: Police on Nov. 23 were dispatched to the Cedar Ridge Retirement Home for a report of a theft of $100 from the room of one of the residents. Police are investigating.
PUNCHED: Police late on Nov. 24 were called to the New Peking restaurant for a report of an assault in progress. When police arrived they found a man lying on his back directly in front of the entrance to the bar. He told police he had been punched in the face. He was bleeding and appeared to be intoxicated, slurring his words and smelling of alcohol. According to witnesses, the man was involved in a verbal altercation with another customer that escalated into some shoving when an unknown male punched the man in the face and then took off running toward state Route 410. Witnesses all confirmed the story, adding the man who was punched was aggressive and seemed to be looking for a fight before the altercation. Police did an area check for the other suspect involved, but did not locate him. No charges were filed.
KEEP THE PANTS: Police on Nov. 25 were dispatched to Target for a report of a shoplifter in custody. Store security recognized a known shoplifter as she entered the store and kept surveillance on her as she placed two pair of boots, a brown pair and a black pair, in her cart; the black pair was put into an empty box the suspect brought into the store with her and the brown pair into the cart itself. Next, the suspect went to the customer service desk and exchanged the brown boots for the black boots in the box, as if she had purchased the brown boots, using a receipt she brought with her. She then attempted to leave the store and was stopped by store security and detained for the police. She also allegedly admitted to store security that a necklace, sweater and bracelet she was wearing were stolen from the store on a prior visit. Upon contact, police asked if she had any other stolen merchandise, which she denied. However, a search revealed her to be wearing two pair of pants and admitted the inner pair of pants was stolen. As the suspect told security she was not wearing underwear, they declined to recover the pants. A review of store security videos showed the suspect walking into a changing room with the pants and exiting without them. During a search prior to arrest police discovered four pills identified as oxycodone. Police also found a straw like those used to snort the drug containing residue. The suspect said the straw was not hers, but it was found in a cigarette case containing her bank card. She was transported to Pierce County jail and booked on charges of theft, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
THEFT: Police on Nov. 29 were dispatched to a construction site in the 21500 block of state Route 410 for a report of a drill stolen from a trailer on the site. The security bar on the side door of the trailer appeared to have been bent back and forth until the metal failed. Police are investigating.
VANDALISM: Officers were dispatched Nov. 30 to Mountain View Middle School for a report of malicious mischief. School officials reported damage to the lawn consistent with vehicles driving and spinning around, believed to be caused during the snow. Damage is estimated at $250. Police are investigating.
SHOPLIFTING: Police Nov. 30 took a report in the lobby from an employee at Walmart regarding a pair of known suspects who allegedly stole more than $1,400 in video games from stores around Pierce and King counties. The employee provided a video showing the subjects selecting games, stepping out of camera range and then stepping back in without the games and then selecting more games. Video also showed the suspects exit a fire door and run to their car. The information was forwarded to other municipalities.
PROWL: Officers on Nov. 30 were dispatched to the 4900 block of North Vista Drive for a report of a vehicle prowl. The victim reported $100 worth or stereo equipment taken from the car, parked in his driveway. Police are investigating.
MOTORCYCLE VS. HOUSE: Police on Nov. 30 responded to the 10000 block of 181st Avenue Court East for a report of a motorcycle crashing into a garage door at a residence. According to the reporting party, the driver was bleeding from the head and trying to leave the scene on foot. Police located the driver, who appeared to be intoxicated, as he was leaving the scene and placed him in handcuffs. The driver immediately became uncooperative, hurling epithets at the officer. Police found an empty malt liquor can in the driver’s pocket. The owner of the motorcycle was located and said he let the driver, who did not have a motorcycle endorsement, ride the bike. According to the owner, the driver built up a lot of speed and then slammed on the brake, causing him to skid and lose control, crashing into the garage door. The driver continued to insult police and refused to take field sobriety tests and was arrested for driving under the influence and reckless driving. The driver refused treatment for East Pierce Fire and Rescue and remained uncooperative throughout contact. He was transported to the Buckley jail and booked on charges of DUI, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. During booking, he remained uncooperative, going through intense mood swings, swearing at the police and saying things like “ask your momma” when asked with whom he had been drinking. He blew a breath sample of more than four times the legal limit. Following booking he was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital where he remained uncooperative, insulting and threatening the staff. He had to be sedated due to concerns for staff safety. Following treatment he was booked into the Puyallup jail.
BURGLARY: Police on Dec. 2 were dispatched to the 6000 block of 187th Avenue East or a residential burglary call. The reporting party said an unknown suspect entered her unlocked home and stole stereo equipment. Police are investigating.
SHOPLIFTING: Police on Dec. 3 were dispatched to Walmart for a report of a shoplifter chased by employees and then detained by two off-duty law enforcement officers. The off-duty officers reportedly saw store security chasing the suspect and assisted after security witnessed the individual allegedly attempted to steal video games. A glass pipe was also found on the suspect. He was transported to Remann Hall and booked on charges of theft and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
GRINCHY: Police on Dec. 6 were called to the 18900 block of 111th Avenue East for a report of four suspects attempting to steal Christmas lights off his house and then throwing them at the house. The reporting party said when confronted the group took off toward Victor Falls Elementary and the female in the group turned around and allegedly pulled a knife out of her pocket. Police were able to collect evidence and track individuals using a K9 officer. The suspects were all eventually tracked down and face potential malicious mischief charges. The girl with the knife, which she said was not hers, was also transported to Pierce County Jail for booking on assault charges.
