Kent Police Blotter: March 30 to April 11

A sampling of Kent Police incidents March 30 to April 11:

March 30

Catalytic converters targeted: 1:56 a.m., officers were dispatched to an unwanted subject at Lynn’s Towing, 841 Central Ave. N. A tow truck driver called to report the fence had been cut leading into the secured lot. Officers searched the lot and located a subject hiding in the back seat of a vehicle. The man was placed under arrest without incident. The suspect had jacked the vehicle off the ground and was in possession of several tools including a reciprocating saw, various saw blades and a jack. Based on the tools the suspect was likely stealing catalytic converters. A criminal history of the man revealed he has been arrested 14 times for various crimes.

Felon with gun: 3 a.m., officers were conducting extra patrol around the Thea Bowman Apartments, 23920 32nd Ave. S., on the West Hill. A vehicle was observed leaving the private property/dead end near the location with expired tabs. A stop was conducted, and the occupants contacted. While an officer was on the passenger side of the vehicle, the officer observed a firearm inside the vehicle. The occupants were detained, and the firearm was recovered. The subject with the firearm claimed he had purchased the weapon for $100. He was a convicted felon and had several warrants for his arrest, including a warrant for burglary. He was booked on his warrants and the weapons case is being investigated further.

Driver rams police SUVs: 11:12 a.m., officers were dispatched to an occupied stolen vehicle in the Big 5 parking lot, 24216 104th Ave. SE. As officers arrived, the suspect saw officers and despite room to maneuver around the officer’s vehicle, the suspect drove head on at the officer’s vehicle, striking it in the front passenger side. The suspect then fled around the officer’s vehicle striking it a second time. The suspect then drove into a second officer’s vehicle, striking that vehicle on the front driver side significantly damaging the vehicle. A pursuit of the suspect vehicle ensued. The suspect collided with an uninvolved motorist, halting their progress, and was taken into custody and booked.

April 1

Bank robbery: 9:52 a.m., officers were dispatched to a bank robbery at Key Bank, 10304 SE 256th St. Three suspects had robbed the location by handing a note to the teller. While the suspects took money, one of them kept their hand in their pocket and pointed it in a way that made it seem they were armed. The suspects fled. Officers were able to follow the suspects. Officers conducted a stop of the vehicle, which attempted to flee by driving along the shoulder. An officer was able to displace the suspect vehicle and four subjects were detained. During the incident, loose cash could be seen falling from the vehicle to the ground. Four subjects were booked into the Regional Justice Center county jail and the case was referred to detectives for investigation.

April 2

Girlfriend stabs boyfriend: 3:15 a.m., officers were dispatched to a stabbing at the Driftwood Apartments, 1610 W. James Pl. A male had been stabbed in the shoulder. Officers determined that the suspect was the victim’s girlfriend, and she was no longer there.

April 7

Fatal shooting: 5:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to a drive-by shooting at the Hillcrest Cemetery, 1005 Reiten Road. One subject had been shot and multiple vehicles were leaving. Life-saving efforts were started and taken over by medics but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Subway robbery: 7:21 p.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery that occurred at the Subway in the 23200 block of Pacific Highway South. An unknown suspect came into the business and began to order food. When the cash register was opened, the suspect attempted to take money. When the employee resisted, the suspect sprayed the employee in the face with pepper spray. The suspect left the restaurant with about $30 in change from the till.

Cellphone robbery: 10 p.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery that occurred in the 23900 block of 109th Avenue SE. The victim had parked his vehicle and was approached by a subject walking on foot speaking to him. The victim did not understand what was being said and then two other suspects approached him. They began to physically assault the victim and stole his cellphone.

April 10

7-Eleven robbery: 5:12 a.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery at the 7-Eleven, 24012 104th Ave. SE. A subject had come into the store armed with a handgun and robbed the clerk of the money in the cash register.

April 11

Kidnapping: 10:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to a robbery near the East Hill Market at Southeast 240th Street and 108th Avenue SE. Officers intercepted the victim as he was being forced to drive to a different location by the suspect. They detained the suspect and learned the victim was initially with him voluntarily. However, the suspect forced the victim at gunpoint to drive away from East Hill Market. The victim’s car was seized for a search warrant and the suspect was booked into King County jail for investigation of kidnapping, robbery and assault.

Major emphasis patrol

• Walker/roller safety enforcement grant project along Highway 99 (Pacific Highway South in Kent) from April 10-23. Kent, Federal Way, Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila Police Departments will be deploying enforcement overtime along the highway geared at driver behaviors most harmful to walkers and rollers. This is following series of observation surveys done along the highway at six spots which resulted in an alarming number of drivers speeding, failing to yield right of way to walkers and rollers, and encroachment on crosswalks and sidewalks.