Sumner Police Blotter: Joy Ride, Attempted Purse Snatching

Nov. 30

Check Fraud, Possession

The owner of National Auto Parts came into the Sumner Police station to report check fraud. He said the day before, a man came in and wrote two checks for over $300 in service and parts on his car. When the store owner took the check to the bank, he was told the man was not the cardholder and the check was fraudulent.

He told police the man was supposed to return that day to pick up a special-order clutch on his vehicle. Police told him to call 911 immediately when he arrived and finish the transaction slowly until they got there.

The officer looked up the man’s name and realized he had arrested the man for attempted vehicle prowl and possession of burglary tools only a few days prior, but he had been booked under an alias. Somehow this had passed by jail staff and the man had walked away free under a false identity.

Later that day, a woman came to the store to pick up the clutch. Police arrived and she told them she was picking up the part for a friend. While they detained her, dispatch ran her plates in the system, which came back clear, but the car’s VIN number matched another vehicle that had been stolen earlier that week in Ravensdale. Police found a glass methamphetamine pipe in her purse and a piece of paper with another woman’s name on it with multiple gift cards. It seemed clear to officers she was beginning the identity theft process. In the car, they found marijuana and hash, plus a laptop computer with someone else’s information on it. The key in the ignition seemed to be worn down.

The woman was transported to Pierce County Jail and booked for possession of burglary tools, stolen property, drug paraphernalia and marijuana.

Police have a warrant out for the arrest of the man for check fraud.

Dec. 1

Attempted Joy Ride

A woman living on the 15000 block of Elm Street told police her 9 year-old foster son took her vehicle for an attempted joy ride. The boy started the car, went into reverse and backed up into the other car. Then, he put the car in gear and hit her garage door. The estimated damage was almost $3,000.

The boy told police he wanted to learn how to drive and he thought he could, after studying his mother and father. The mother told police she keeps her keys on a top shelf in their home – he had to climb up on shelves to find them.

Police explained to the boy that there are reasons 9 year-olds aren’t allowed to drive and that he could have hurt himself or others. The mother said she would take care of all the damages and connect with her neighbor.

The case has been forwarded to Remann Hall for investigation.

Dec. 3

Disorderly Conduct, Assault

Officers responded to Parker Road for a report of an assault. Police arrived to the home and found a very intoxicated man with a huge bump on his head and bleeding profusely. He told police he was drinking at The Silo with his cousin when he wanted to go home. His cousin did not want to leave and the two men got into an argument in the car. They pulled the car over and started punching each other in Rainier View Park.

The cousin arrived at the home while police were there and admitted to hitting the man, but only in self-defense.

Both men were cited with disorderly conduct and the cast was forwarded to the city attorney.

Dec. 7

Trespassing, Burglary

Sumner officers were dispatched to a Puyallup home on 124th Ave. Ct. E. near the Sumner Cemetery for a report of individuals in an abandoned home. Police are familiar with the house due to repeated squatter complaints and anyone found there would be arrested. The original homeowner passed away some years ago and had a large gun and rare coin collection.

Officers found two men in the living room. They told police they were just looking around and weren’t staying there. Police patted the men down and both had a number of rare coins in their pockets.

Both men were arrested for trespassing and burglary.

Attempted Purse Snatching

Officers on patrol near Valley Ave. spotted a male sprinting down the 1200 block who matched the description of a county suspect wanted for multiple armed robberies. Police detained him near the Fred Meyer.

A woman approached the officers and thanked them for stopping the man. Police asked her what she meant, because they did not receive an official call from her, and she said she watched the man attempt to steal a purse from an elderly woman and she followed him down the block.

Police tracked down the 68 year-old woman, who said she was walking to Starbucks when a man attempted to grab her purse. She said he pulled her so hard, she spun 180 degrees but held on to her purse until he let go and ran away. She was not injured.

The man admitted to the attempted purse snatching and told police he was desperate to support his drug habit. He was arrested for attempted theft, first degree.