Kent Police Blotter: March 11-23

A sampling of Kent Police incidents March 11-23:

March 11

• House call: An officer responded to a house in the 11600 block of SE 272nd Place to serve an order. Upon knocking on the door and announcing their presence, the officer heard a commotion inside and observed individuals fleeing out the back door. Concerned about a possible in-progress crime, additional officers arrived to assist. The subject of the order was not located, but two individuals were contacted, one of whom provided a false name. As officers concluded the call, two Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) officers arrived for a follow-up at the same address, noting that a search warrant had been executed several days prior.

• Naked female: Officers responded to the intersection of Third Avenue South and West Crow Street following multiple reports of a naked female running in the roadway. She continued southbound on Third Avenue South, then westbound to the Interurban Trail before heading north. Officers located her near Willis Street, where she ran into blackberry bushes before emerging onto Rachael Place. Officers were ultimately able to detain her, recognizing that she was experiencing a mental health crisis. Due to her state, officers transported her to Valley Medical Center in Renton for further evaluation.

March 12

• Domestic incident: Officers responded to the Renew on James Apartments, 6248 S. 242nd Pl., for a reported domestic incident. During their investigation, officers identified a 16-year-old victim who was being exploited by a 30-year-old individual. Detectives were contacted, and it was discovered that the victim’s older sister had been involved in a similar situation in Seattle. Before further assistance could be provided, the victim discarded her phone and fled from her mother’s residence, likely due to fear. The case remains under investigation.

March 13

• Robbery with a syringe: Officers developed probable cause for robbery after a suspect brandished a syringe and stole tip money from a business on Pacific Highway South. An officer located the suspect approximately 90 minutes after the initial report, and the suspect was taken into custody. During the search incident to arrest, the suspect spat at an officer.

March 14

• Assault at clinic: 7:33 p.m., officers responded to Valley Cities Recovery, 505 Washington Ave. S., for a reported assault. The investigation revealed that the suspect refused to take the prescribed medication and was subsequently administered the medication intramuscularly (into a muscle). Following the administration, the suspect pursued the victim around the room before the victim fell to the ground. The suspect then physically assaulted the victim. The victim was later interviewed at the hospital, where they were receiving treatment for suspected fractures. Medical evaluations were ongoing at the time of the report.

March 15

• Vehicle fire: Officers were dispatched to James Street Hill for a vehicle engulfed in flames while rolling downhill. The driver was taken into custody for driving under the influence.

• Purse stolen: 11:40 a.m., officers responded to the 26400 block of Eton Court for a robbery report. The victim stated they had just returned home carrying a purse and grocery bag when an unidentified individual approached from behind, forcibly taking the purse before fleeing the area.

• Armed robbery: Officers witnessed an armed robbery near the Mesh House event space on First Avenue South. Multiple suspects armed with firearms were seen confronting the victim. The suspects took the victim’s phone before fleeing on foot and then in a vehicle. Officers initiated a pursuit, but the suspect vehicle ultimately evaded capture. The event space hosted a gathering, and attendees appeared uncooperative with the investigation. The organizer of the event declined to provide further details.

March 16

• Custodial dispute: Officers were dispatched to a report of a possible abduction on West Hill. The investigation revealed that the father had full custody of his daughters, ages 3 and 5. The mother, who had recently moved from California, had been residing with the father. Following an argument, she took the children and said she was driving back to California. Officers conducted an extensive investigation, determining that the case involved a custodial dispute rather than an abduction.

March 21

• Hit-and-run: Officers responded to a DUI, hit-and-run incident. A driver struck another vehicle from behind and fled the area. The victim’s spouse had been following their partner and was able to locate the suspect. The occupants of the suspect’s vehicle then confronted the couple before fleeing again. Officers located the suspect vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The driver was arrested for DUI and two counts of hit-and-run. Additional occupants in the vehicle were taken into custody for further offenses.

March 22

• Harassment at Walgreens: Officers were dispatched to a report of a man threatening employees inside Walgreens at 132nd Avenue SE and Kent-Kangley Road. While en route, dispatch updated that the suspect had made verbal threats about having a firearm, though no weapon was displayed. Employees and customers evacuated as officers arrived. Officers quickly located the suspect and detained them. After further investigation, probable cause was established for misdemeanor harassment. Due to booking restrictions, the suspect was not taken into custody at the city of Kent jail.

March 23

• Shots fired: 12:01 a.m., officers were dispatched to the area of 11056 Southeast 201st Place regarding reports of gunfire. Officers located multiple shell casings, a bullet projectile, and fragments on SE 200th Street near a residence of concern in the 10800 block of SE 200th Street. Approximately 30 minutes later, while officers were processing the scene and canvassing the area, a male arrived at Valley Medical Center in Renton with two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. The individual reported that he had just dropped someone off at the residence of concern when an unidentified vehicle approached, and he was struck by gunfire while leaving the area. The person who transported the victim was not located but has been tentatively identified.