A sampling of Kent Police incidents from Dec. 23 to Jan. 11:
Dec. 23
• Cowgirls Espresso robbery: 6:12 a.m., patrol responded to a robbery at Cowgirls Espresso, 1734 Central Ave. S. The suspect pulled up to the window and ordered a drink. While the employee prepared the drink, she heard a gun racking and turned to find the suspect pointing a gun at her through the window. The suspect demanded money and received under $100 cash before fleeing in their vehicle.
• Shots fired at apartments: 11:31 p.m., officers responded to Phoenix Court Apartments, 23913 111th Pl. SE, for reports of gunshots and property damage. Bullet casings were found outside, and water damage occurred in multiple units due to a bullet striking a water line.
Dec. 24
• Law firm burglary: 5:28 a.m., patrol responded to a burglary of a law firm at 200 Madison Ave. N. Patrol found an individual leaving the area on foot and detained them but released them shortly after. Later, while still on the scene, the same suspect returned to their parked vehicle and was arrested for investigation of burglary. Items stolen from Driftwood Apartments, 1610 W. James Pl., which were also burglarized that evening, were in the suspect’s vehicle.
• Suspect bites officers: Officers were dispatched to 12700 SE Kent-Kangley Road for a report of an unruly bus passenger. The passenger became combative, striking and biting officers during the encounter. The suspect was arrested for investigation of assault and other charges.
Dec. 28
• Steakhouse burglary: 10:15 a.m., officers responded to a burglary at Vue Prime Steakhouse, 15400 SE 275th St. The burglary occurred overnight, with suspects seen on video damaging the front doors and office doors inside the restaurant and stealing Tequila and steak valued at approximately $1,650.
Dec. 30
• Cowgirls attempted robbery: 5:15 a.m., dispatch reported a robbery at the Cowgirls Espresso stand at 1734 Central Ave S. The suspect attempted to steal money and fled on foot. Officers quickly set up a perimeter, and a nearby witness reported seeing the suspect running through a business complex—aerial support located the suspect hiding in a pickup truck bed. The suspect was detained without incident and later arrested.
Jan. 1
• DUI driver strikes officer: An officer was arriving in Kent to begin their New Year’s Day shift when their vehicle was struck by a DUI driver, causing minor damage but no injuries. The officer attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the driver fled. The officer-maintained composure over the radio and successfully executed a PIT maneuver to stop the suspect, who was arrested for investigation of DUI and hit-and-run.
Jan. 2
• Shots fired: Officers responded to an incident at an unit at the Waterbrook Apartments, 10615 SE 250th Pl. Upon arrival, they observed a male who was identified as a suspect leaving the area. Officers located and detained the male without incident through a high-risk vehicle stop. Evidence of property damage and disturbance was found, including fired casings and a bullet outside the apartment. The suspect’s vehicle was impounded for further investigation, and the suspect was booked for investigation of related misdemeanor charges.
Jan. 3
• 7-Eleven robbery: The 7-Eleven store at Meeker Street and 64th Avenue was robbed at gunpoint. Two suspects fled on foot. Due to the high volume of pedestrian traffic and lack of a clear direction of travel, a K-9 track could not be conducted.
Jan. 4
• Kent Station vehicle prowls: 8:27 p.m., officers responded to a vehicle prowl in progress at Kent Station, 417 Ramsay Way. Before their arrival, the suspect fled the area in a stolen vehicle. Officers interviewed the reporting party and additional victims, discovering that 12 vehicles had been broken into and three firearms had been stolen.
Jan. 7
• Dead body found: 10:34 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Green River Trail near 7915 S. 261st St., after a reporting party observed what appeared to be a body in the bushes. While leading the officer to the location, the reporting party identified a different body lying in the brush near the riverbank. The male was confirmed deceased. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office determined the 65-year-old man died of hypothermia and environmental cold exposure and ruled his death an accident. A search of the area revealed no additional bodies.
Jan. 8
• Liquor store robbery: 4:14 p.m., patrol responded to an armed robbery at Kent East Liquor and Wine, 25800 104th Ave. SE. The clerk was interviewed and stated that two juvenile suspects entered the store and took numerous bottles of alcohol without paying. The clerk approached them to recover the merchandise, and one suspect brandished a knife, threatening the clerk. The suspects then left the store.
Jan. 9
• Police pursuit: A sergeant responded to a theft of gas at 22135 68th Ave S. Upon arrival, a vehicle fled the location and drove away at normal speeds. The sergeant got behind the vehicle, and a short pursuit was initiated, which ended with a successful PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle near South 212th Street and SR 167. The driver attempted to flee on foot and was captured shortly after with the assistance of Washington State Patrol, King County Sheriff’s Office and drone resources.
• Apartment burglary: Officers were dispatched to a residential burglary at Arbor Chase Apartments, 1615 W. Smith St. The residents had returned from a 16-day vacation to find the locks changed on their door and occupants inside. According to the family, nobody else was supposed to be inside, and nobody else had access to the unit. Officers arrived at the unit and located a large family, including adults, children, and a female, showering inside. Due to a language and cultural barrier, the occupants were removed from the unit, and the actual owners replaced the locks.
Jan. 10
• Great Wall Mall robbery: 7:44 p.m., patrol responded to a robbery at Great Wall Mall, 18200 E. Valley Highway. Upon arrival, they contacted the victim, who explained that she had been walking to her vehicle when she noticed a person in the car next to hers. As she approached her driver’s side door, the suspect got out of the car and grabbed her purse, which was wrapped around her body. During the struggle, she fell, and the suspect was able to obtain the purse. The suspect then fled in a vehicle.
Jan. 11
• Police vehicle struck: An officer located a stolen vehicle out of Kent at South 216th Street and 99th Avenue S. The stolen vehicle turned southbound on 108th Avenue SE, and a pursuit ensued. Officers attempted to set up spikes in front of the vehicle but were unsuccessful. An officer was stopped in the eastbound travel lanes on SE 240th Street near the intersection of 104th Avenue SE. The stolen vehicle turned westbound onto SE 240th Street but was unable to navigate the turn at speed and struck the officer’s vehicle with the officer inside. The stolen vehicle continued westbound on SE 240th Street, and the pursuit was terminated. The officer was taken to the Covington emergency room for evaluation and was medically cleared. At 3:42 a.m., another officer later located the stolen vehicle at 100th Avenue SE and SE 208th Street. The stolen vehicle was impounded for processing.
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