Kent Police Blotter: June 6-22

A sampling of Kent Police incidents June 6-22:

June 6

• Missing man found: 11:45 a.m., an officer responded to a welfare check at the Safeway at 132nd Avenue SE and Kent Kangley Road. Inside, they found a shoeless man seeking assistance. Upon investigation, it was determined that the man had been reported missing from Covington earlier. The officer decided to drive him back home, where family members explained that he had walked away nearly three hours prior, covering several miles to reach the Safeway.

June 9

• Stolen vehicle arrest: 10:30 a.m., the Crime Reduction Unit found an occupied stolen vehicle at Hogan Park, 24400 Russell Road, after it triggered a Flock camera at 64th Avenue South and West Meeker Street. The unit was already patrolling the area, which allowed them to locate the vehicle quickly. Officers surrounded the truck and detained the sole occupant. A male emerged from the park restroom wearing black rubber gloves at this time. The female passenger identified him as the driver, prompting immediate contact and detention. The male driver confessed to operating the vehicle and was subsequently jailed. The truck’s owner was contacted and came to retrieve it. Additionally, a BB gun resembling a semi-automatic handgun was discovered inside the vehicle.

• Unwanted man: 2 p.m., an officer responded to a report of an unwanted male at Thea Bowman Apartments, 23920 32nd Ave. S. At the same time, the building’s fire alarm was activated. Employees informed the officer that the unwanted individual had pulled the fire alarm. When confronted, the male admitted to triggering the alarm to gain entry to the building and was subsequently arrested.

• Armed robbery: 3:15 p.m., a hit-and-run incident was reported, later linked to an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Blvd Apartments, 2136 S. 272nd St. The suspect was also found to be responsible for a prior armed robbery in Renton approximately 45 minutes earlier. It was determined that the suspect utilized a family member’s vehicle and social media to organize the robberies.

June 11

• DUI pursuit halted: 12:45 a.m., an officer initiated a pursuit for reasonable suspicion of DUI at SE 248th Street and 104th Avenue SE but terminated the chase shortly after as the suspect vehicle approached a construction zone and entered oncoming traffic.

• Rock thrower: 1 p.m., multiple callers reported a male throwing rocks at passing vehicles near 109th Avenue SE and SE 256th Street. While officers were en route, a passing Kent detective attempted to engage with the suspect. Upon officers arrival, they found the detective struggling with the individual on the ground, leading to the suspect’s detention. At least nine vehicles sustained significant damage, and the suspect was booked for felony malicious mischief.

June 13

• 11-year-old driver: 2:30 p.m., an 11-year-old girl was reported to have taken her mother’s Dodge Durango. During a pursuit by her grandmother in a Nissan, the vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run incident at 84th Avenue South and South 216th Street. The girl later returned to the Silver Springs Apartments, 22416 88th Ave. S., where she crashed into three parked cars before fleeing the scene. Upon arrival, officers found a crowd of 30 to 40 people who quickly identified the young driver. It was determined that the girl’s mother, who was present at the scene, violated a protection order concerning the juvenile. The mother was arrested for the violation, and after discussions with an officer, the young driver was booked into juvenile detention.

• Commercial burglary: 11:16 p.m., officers responded to Paws & Pals, 6715 S. 228th St., following a report of a commercial burglary. The manager was monitoring live footage showing a suspect inside the store. Officers arrived to discover a torn rear fence and an unsecured back door. After inspecting the premises and finding no one inside, the manager stated that the suspect had left through the front door just before the officers arrived. A photograph of the suspect was shared with the officers, who later found him several blocks west of the store. The suspect was arrested, and the stolen items were recovered and returned to the victim.

June 15

• Necklace stolen: 2:39 p.m. a patrol responded to 99 Ranch, 18200 E. Valley Hwy. The victim reported that while shopping inside the Great Wall Mall, another vehicle blocked them in their parking spot when they returned to their car. One suspect signaled for the victim to exit their vehicle. When the victim approached, they saw two people inside the suspect’s vehicle brandishing pistols. One suspect forcibly took a necklace from the victim’s neck before they left the area.

• Commercial burglary: 11:58 p.m., patrol responded to Bigfoot Construction Supply, 22300 68th Ave. S. The victim reported that someone was loading items into a truck. When the officers arrived, they met with the victim, who was at the scene. The victim mentioned that multiple locations had been targeted, with another site in Tukwila possibly affected by the same suspect.

June 17

• Robbery: 8:21 p.m., officers responded to a robbery at Driftwood Apartments, 1610 W. James Pl. The victim was walking to his home when two masked individuals approached him. One suspect displayed a firearm and pressed it against the victim’s neck, demanding his belongings. After searching the victim and finding nothing, the suspects fled the scene on foot.

• Necklace taken: 8:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery along SE 218th Place. The victim reported that he had just returned home from WinCo when two individuals, allegedly following him from the store, approached him and asked about the location of the hospital. When the victim did not respond, one suspect tried to embrace him while attempting to remove his necklace. The victim pushed the suspect away, but they stole the necklace and fled the scene.

• Vehicle prowler: Surveillance footage from Great Wall Mall, 18230 E. Valley Highway, captured a suspect with a distinct limp driving a gray Jeep Cherokee. The following day, multiple vehicles were prowled at Pho T&L near the mall. One victim successfully tracked her stolen iPad to the Ramada Inn. Officers arrived at the Inn and observed the suspect dropping from the second-floor balcony. He was taken into custody, and his vehicle was seized for a warrant. The suspect’s limp was due to a previous injury, having been shot in the foot. This individual has been linked to six incidents across several days, some occurring at 24 Hour Fitness near 108th Avenue SE and SE 208th Street. The suspect had multiple outstanding warrants, and the cumulative losses have led to referrals to detectives.

June 18

• Firearms displayed: Chevron at James & Central, a caller reported that individuals were armed with firearms. Officers arrived, and the caller identified the suspect(s) and the associated vehicle. This resulted in a foot pursuit and a vehicle chase. An officer apprehended a suspect on foot who allegedly displayed a firearm toward the reporting party. Another officer pursued the vehicle into Auburn, where the driver fled on foot and escaped detention, although identification was made.

June 19

• Juveniles assault male: Officers were dispatched to a report of 12 juveniles assaulting a male at a bus stop at Lake Meridian. Several juveniles were identified and demonstrated signs of intoxication. Probable cause was established for some juveniles, and during the transport by an officer, other juveniles obstructed their vehicle, leading to additional arrests for obstruction.

• Shots fired: 6:43 p.m., patrol officers responded to a report of a shooting near 35th Avenue South. When they arrived, many people were gathered outside. Interviews revealed that an argument had taken place between an unknown male and a resident. As the situation escalated, one resident, who was armed, fired a warning shot into nearby grass, causing the individual to leave.

June 20

• Parking lot robbery: 12:42 a.m., a victim came to the police station to report a robbery at Taqueria El Sabor, 400 Central Ave. N. The victim said he was assaulted in the parking lot, where he was sprayed with mace, and two suspects stole his backpack.

• Statutory rape: An officer took a report about a found runaway and a statutory rape case at Waterbrook Apartments, 10615 SE 250th Pl. State Child Protective Services was notified and responded to assist with the juvenile’s protective custody. The officer conducted a thorough investigation and identified a potential suspect.

June 21

• Gunshot victim: Officers responded to a local hospital regarding a gunshot victim. The incident occurred in front of El Parral, 26122 Pacific Highway S. The victim was in the parking lot with friends when a suspect approached in a white Tahoe with distinctive wheels and a loud exhaust. The suspect displayed a firearm and ordered the group to leave. The victim’s friends backed away, and the victim tried to disarm the suspect. The suspect then fled while firing shots, hitting the victim twice. The suspect drove off in the Tahoe, heading north on Pacific Highway South. The victim is expected to survive and is currently undergoing surgery.

June 22

• Threats with a knife: Officers were dispatched to a report of threats involving a knife at Silver Springs Apartments, 22416 88th Ave. S. Upon arrival, officers located the suspect, who was taken into custody without incident. A large butcher knife was found near the suspect’s location. Further investigation resulted in the suspect being booked into the city of Kent jail on misdemeanor charges.

• 80 shots fired: 3:13 a.m., officers responded to reports of illegal discharge of firearms around The Pines at Canyon Station Apartments, 9626 S. 252nd St. Multiple callers reported hearing over 10 shots. Subsequently, the call was escalated to a confirmed shooting with an injured victim. The victim, who was asleep in his residence, was grazed in the leg by a bullet that penetrated through the wall. Upon arrival, all suspects were gone, and it was discovered that at least three apartments and two vehicles were struck by gunfire, none of which were intended targets. An event in the nearby cul-de-sac appears to have led to a shootout. It remains unclear if there are additional victims who left the scene before police arrived. Over 80 bullet casings, from both rifle and handgun, were recovered.

• Robbery at bar: Officers reported a strong-arm robbery at Nashville Sports Bar, 114 Railroad Ave. N. A male transient attempted to help another male transient by offering him $4. When the one male saw $40 in the other male’s pocket, he assaulted him. The one male then picked up the other male and slammed him on his head, causing head and facial injuries. A witness filmed the suspect leaving the area. A K-9 track produced no results, and it is suspected the man boarded a bus at a nearby transit center.