Kent Police Blotter: Jan. 14-25

A sampling of Kent Police incidents Jan. 14 to 25:

Jan. 14

• Police assist: A suspect eluded Puyallup Police and was observed by an off-duty officer on Highway 167 near SR 18. The suspect drove northbound in the southbound lanes, eventually crashing and fleeing on foot. The suspect was apprehended and turned over to Puyallup Police for further investigation.

• Safeway robbery: 10:41 p.m., officers responded to an armed robbery at Safeway, 20800 108th Ave. SE. The store’s Loss prevention staff observed a suspect concealing items in a baby stroller before attempting to leave the store. When confronted, the suspect brandished a firearm and fled.

Jan. 15

• Red Lion robbery: 1:36 a.m., officers responded to an armed robbery at the Red Lion Hotel, 25100 74th Ave. S. The suspect entered the lobby, displayed a firearm, and demanded cash. After taking several hundred dollars, the suspect fled. Officers reviewed surveillance footage and identified the suspect’s vehicle, which had been stopped by Auburn Police shortly after the robbery.

• Home burglary: 4 a.m., officers responded to a burglary in the 10200 block of SE 270th St. The suspect allegedly entered the residence through a dog door, stole several sets of car keys, and fled in one of the vehicles.

• Domestic violence arrest: Officers responded to a domestic incident in progress. Upon arrival, officers observed a female attempting to climb from a balcony. An immediate entry was conducted, and after overcoming language and cultural barriers, officers developed probable cause to arrest the husband for multiple charges.

Jan. 16

• Carjacking: 1:02 p.m., officers responded to an armed carjacking in the 300 block of Fifth Ave. S. The victim reported being approached by a suspect who initially asked for a cigarette but later returned with a firearm, demanding the victim’s vehicle. The suspect fled in the vehicle, which was later recovered and processed for evidence.

Jan. 18

• Collision: Officers responded to a collision in the 23800 block of 68th Ave. S. An Amazon semi-truck dragged a Nissan Rogue under its trailer after the vehicle became pinned. One adult was extricated from the car by rescue personnel and transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with suspected internal injuries. The driver of the semi cooperated with the investigation.

Jan. 19

• Shot hits vehicle: 4:30 a.m., a man reported hearing gunshots while driving northbound on Pacific Highway South near Kent Des Moines Road. He later discovered a bullet hole in his vehicle’s trunk. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate any evidence.

Jan. 20

• Commercial burglary: 10:53 a.m., patrol responded to Back 40 Outfitters, 200 W. Meeker St., regarding a commercial burglary. Upon arriving for work, employees reported that they discovered the back door had been damaged and approximately $20,000 worth of camping equipment was missing. Patrol responded and called AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System) staff, which processed the scene and other evidentiary items.

• Road rage: Officers responded to a road rage incident in a Safeway parking lot. The suspect allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim and fled in a vehicle. The investigation later linked the case to a call in Auburn, where suspects were arrested, and a shotgun was recovered.

Jan. 21

• Carjacking: 9:14 p.m., patrol responded to the 24000 block of Pacific Highway South regarding a carjacking. The victim, borrowing a friend’s car, noticed the oil light was on and pulled over to check under the hood. When the victim returned to the vehicle, an unknown person was seated in the driver’s seat. The suspect displayed a firearm, threatened to shoot the victim, demanded the victim’s phone, and fled in the vehicle.

Jan. 23

• Lowe’s shoplifter: Officers responded to Lowe’s, 24050 Pacific Highway S., on West Hill for a known shoplifter. The suspect had left the scene before their arrival, but one officer located the suspect’s vehicle traveling northbound on 30th Avenue South. After a traffic stop, the suspect initially provided a false name. An AFIS scan revealed the suspect’s real identity and multiple warrants, including a state Department of Corrections escape warrant and extradition warrants from the Oregon Parole Board. The suspect was connected to a “crew” that had stolen over $70,000 worth of items from Lowe’s, with additional victims identified through the suspect’s belongings.

Jan. 24

• Shooting victim: 2:15 a.m., patrol responded to 23800 30th Ave. S. regarding a shooting. The call was initially reported as an illegal discharge, possibly involving several firearms. Upon arrival, a victim came forward, stating they had been shot at by a described individual, who was later located and arrested. The motive for the incident is unclear.

Jan. 25

• Multiple vehicle break-ins: 6:44 a.m., patrol responded to Union Bay store, 21200 72nd Ave. S., regarding several vehicle break-ins. Patrol contacted numerous victims, and nine vehicles were reported broken into at this location. Later, patrol responded to Continental Mills, 7800 S. 192nd St., where additional vehicle break-ins occurred. The exact number of affected vehicles is still under investigation. The series of break-ins is also believed to have extended into Renton.

• ATM robberies: 8:39 a.m., patrol responded to Bank of America, 300 Fourth Ave. S., for an attempted robbery. The victim had withdrawn money from the ATM when the suspect approached and demanded the money. The victim refused and walked to their car, with the suspect briefly following before abandoning the attempt. Moments later, the same suspect successfully robbed a second victim at a nearby BECU ATM.

• Stolen vehicle: 12:22 a.m., a vehicle theft report was taken by phone for a 2021 Hyundai Tucson stolen from ReNew Water’s Edge Apartments, 6305 S. 238th Pl. Less than 15 minutes later, at approximately 12:35 a.m., patrol located the vehicle near Russell Road/Central Ave. S. and initiated a traffic stop, resulting in the driver’s arrest without incident.

• Stolen vehicle: Patrol located an occupied stolen vehicle downtown. They coordinated with other units that flooded the area. Spike strips were deployed at the exit from the library on Second Avenue. After a short pursuit and foot chase, one individual was arrested concerning the stolen vehicle.