Sumner Police Blotter, July 23 - 25

July 23

Potential Arson

12:43pm: Officers responded to Seibenthaler Park for a report of a Honey Bucket portable toilet on fire, near the corner of Bonney Ave. and 16th St. A witness said he looked out his window and noticed smoke coming from the toilet. He went across the street and opened the portapotty door, when he saw flames coming from where the toilet paper dispenser was located. He then called the police but said he didn’t see anyone suspicious, although there were many people in the park.

Upon arrival, officers found that the toilet had started to collapse on itself from the fire. The fire became fully engulfed and spread to a utility power pole that provides power to the City of Sumner sewage waste pump station. The fire burned through the power line and it fell to the ground sparking. Fire arrived and put the fire out and Puget Sound Energy (PSE) responded to the downed power lines. The estimated damage to the pole and line is $1500. The estimated damage to the toilet was between $3000 and $4000. Public Works was advised and they barricaded it with an 8 ft. cinder block wall that surrounds the toilet. The toilet was completely burned to the cement floor, which cost an estimated $1000.

July 24

Car Theft

10:41am: A man called to say an unknown person broke into the rear side window of his white Toyota pickup and entered the vehicle. He said his car stereo and a subwoofer station had been removed. He said his son drives the vehicle, and the son said he parked the vehicle around 1 a.m. and discovered the broken window on the sidewalk. He said he was also missing a blue motorcycle helmet valued at $100. The officer observed the broken side window and the space where the stereo was missing. The molding was pulled away from the mounts. Estimated damage to the window was $150 and there are no suspects at this time.

July 25

Car and Power Pole Collision

11:18am: Officers responded to the 5600 block of Sumner Tapps Highway for a report of a vehicle versus pole collision. The driver said he was traveling southbound on Sumner Tapps Highway when a dog crossed the road directly in front of him, causing him to swerve his white 1998 Ford Ranger off the roadway and into the power pole. The officer observed the man’s pickup with the snapped pole lying on his vehicle, with the power lines dangerously low to the ground.

There was also a second vehicle that was stopped with power lines lying on that vehicle. The officer advised the female driver to remain in her car and then notified communications to notify PSE. PSE disconnected the power lines and freed the second car.  There were no injuries.