Holiday Thefts And DUIs Increase: PPD Blotter

PUYALLUP, WA — Thefts at Macy's and Walmart pick up for the holidays; police arrest drivers intoxicated by alcohol, cannabis, and meth; and police say, "An aspiring artist spray painted a design on a fence." This is your Puyallup Police Department crime log for Nov. 30 - Dec. 3.

ID Theft/Trespass/False Statement/PSP/Warrant

Walmart — 310 31st Ave. SE

A woman who attempted to use fake IDs to make a purchase at Walmart was stopped in the parking lot by an officer who knew her from previous arrests. Not recognizing the officer, the woman tried to lie about her identity to no avail.

"Note to potential suspects wanting to play Liar, Liar Pants on Fire: it is only sporting if the officer doesn’t recognize you from prior arrests," PPD officials said.

Burglary

3900 Fifth Street Southeast

Multiple companies at a construction site off South Meridian reported tools stolen. One of the companies estimated the value of the stolen specialty tools around $13,000; police recorded serial numbers for the items.

Forgery/Warrants/False Statements

Walmart — 310 31st Ave. SE

Police reportedly stopped a man at Walmart as he tried to flee in a vehicle after he used counterfeit money to purchase items. The man gave police a fake name to hide a felony warrant, but officers positively identified him anyway. He was arrested.

Prior to his jailing, however, the man told police he'd swallowed heroin; so he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital for evaluation. While there, the man tried to escape again but was quickly caught by police.

Theft/Warrant

J.C. Penney — 3500 S. Meridian

Police arrested a man in the parking lot of South Hill Mall after he'd filled a duffel bag with merchandise from J.C. Penney and fled without paying. While making the arrest, police learned the man also had a warrant for driving under the influence (DUI).

Motor Vehicle Theft

1600 12th Ave. SE

A woman told police she lent her 1989 Honda Civic to a friend, whom she called an addict. The man was supposed to use the car to pick up something at the store, but then he refused to return the vehicle. Officers logged it as stolen.

Possession of a Controlled Substance (PCS)

Kindercare — 123 31st Ave. SE

A man at Kindercare was reportedly arrested on a warrant. While making the arrest, police found the man possessed methamphetamine. He was taken to Pierce County Jail.

Vehicle Prowl

2500 S. Meridian

A man's work truck was reportedly broken into during the night. His wallet and a nail gun belonging to his employer were stolen. There are no suspects in this case.

Theft

The Home Depot — 303 35th Ave. SE

Multiple suspects reportedly used a trailer stolen from Seattle to steal lawnmower worth $1,899 from The Home Depot in Puyallup. The suspects used a white SUV, possibly a Suburban or Tahoe, to tow the trailer. Police took video surveillance from the retailer.

Vehicle Prowl

South Hill Mall — 3500 S. Meridian

A vehicle owned by Precision Plumbing and Heating was broken into on Dec. 1. Tools valued at roughly $10,000 were stolen. It's apparently unclear how the vehicle was accessed.

Vehicle Prowl

900 Seventh St. NW

Thieves, or a thief, broke into a car that was parked along Seventh Street Northwest and stole a vehicle registration, a specialized engine tuner, and the car's gearshift knob. After the theft, the suspect(s) used a firearm cleaner to wipe down the vehicle's interior. Police say the CLP wipe was left in the car.

Armed Robbery

Hampton Inn & Suites — 1515 S. Meridian

Police tracked but were unable to arrest a theft suspect who took an undisclosed amount of cash from the Hampton Inn & Suites in Puyallup. The suspect, a black man standing between 6 feet and 6-foot-4 who was wearing a ski mask and dark clothing, reportedly waited outside the inn for an employee to take a smoke break.

When the employee went outside, the suspect pointed a gun at her and instructed her to let him in. Inside, he "very calmly instructed staff to give him cash," police said. Afterward, he fled on foot.

Police used a K9 unit to track the suspect to the 100-block of 15th Avenue Southeast, where they believe he either got in a car or entered a residence.

Shoplifting

Macy’s — 3500 S. Meridian

A teen girl was caught shoplifting roughly $600 in merchandise from the South Hill Mall Macy's. She was taken to the Remann Hall Pierce County Juvenile Detention Center.

DUI

South Hill Park Drive Southeast

A concerned citizen reported an extremely intoxicated man was fueling up at a gas station. Police tracked down the vehicle just as it was getting onto SR 512 west. The driver, a 31-year-old man, was arrested for DUI; he reportedly refused to take a breathalyzer.

The driver's passenger, a 30-year-old man, was reportedly uncooperative with officers and made it difficult for them to make an arrest.

"The driver and passenger were reunited at the jail," police said.

DUI

400 Seventh Ave. SE

A 19-year-old man was arrested after blowing through a stop light, but not for the traffic violation; after pulling him over, police arrested the man for operating a vehicle after cannabis consumption and charged him for possessing more than 54 grams of cannabis.

Two minor teens in the car were also arrested for possession of cannabis and delivered to their parents.

Eluding

3500 Ninth St. SW

Police tried to stop a driver who was speeding in a 2009 Malibu that was reported stolen. Instead of stopping, however, the driver pulled onto SR 512 and began driving recklessly through heavy traffic. Pierce County deputies found the vehicle abandoned a short time later.

Warrant/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

600 S. Meridian

Police stopped a man for several bicycle infractions only to learn he not only had a warrant but was also in possession of a half-gram of meth and a meth pipe.

Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance/Warrant

300 17th St. NW

Police stopped a driver who failed to signal a turn. During the traffic stop, officers noted the man tried to hide 4.5 grams of meth. He was arrested.

Warrant Arrest

500 E. Main

A man was stopped and arrested on two warrants. That is all.

Graffiti

2000 39th Ave. Ct. SE

"An aspiring artist spray painted a design on a fence," police said, adding nothing more.

Shoplift

3300 S. Meridian

Police arrested a woman who was caught attempting to steal $111 worth of merchandise from the South Hill Mall shopping area. During her arrest, police also learned she was wanted on a $10,100 theft warrant in Puyallup.

Motor Vehicle Theft

700 43rd Ave. SE

Police logged a stolen blue 2003 Ford Taurus, with Washington license plate #149-XRP. The car reportedly has a large Chicago Bears sticker on the rear. There are no suspects in this case.

Shoplifting

Macy’s — 3500 S. Meridian

Police reportedly cited a woman who "was caught shoplifting Christmas presents for her family."

Vehicle Prowl (x5)

Iron Chef — 4300 S. Meridian

Police were able to obtain fingerprints from the scene of a multi-car vehicle break-in incident at Iron Chef. Numerous items were stolen after the cars' windows were busted out.

Theft

Lifecare Center — 2500 Seventh Ave. SE

A man reported realizing too late that he'd accepted counterfeit cash for a cell phone he sold using OfferUp. Police were able to gather only vague suspect information.

Domestic Violence/Assault

2300 Seventh St. SE

Police forwarded a mail-in citation to a woman who assaulted/scratched her boyfriend, then fled before officers arrived.

Shoplift

Walmart — 310 31st Ave. SE

A "very animated" man was stopped in the Walmart parking lot for shoplifting, police said. He was arrested.

Order Violation

3100 Ninth St. SW

Police arrested a man who was caught violating a no contact order. The man was reportedly found sitting a car with the same woman for whom the DV-related no contact order was issued.

Burglary

Forever Sushi — 4301 S. Meridian

A burglar broke into Forever Sushi but left empty handed after learning no money is kept in the business after hours. The suspect wore gloves and a disguise during the burglary, but police obtained video surveillance.

Burglary

104 W. Main

A concerned citizen flagged an officer after spotting someone climbing around the balconies of the buildings in the block surrounded by South Meridian, Second Street Southwest, West Meeker and West Main. The officer caught the man and arrested him after finding a pried window screen.

DUI

1400 Fairview Dr.

Police arrested a man and charged him with his third DUI after finding him sitting in his car in the 1400-block of Fairview Drive. The car had been reported as a possible DUI situation; when police found it, the man had not really parked off the road.

The drunk driver provided breathalyzer tests that came back at more than triple the legal limit.

Shoplift

Macy’s — 3500 S. Meridian

A man with a warrant was caught shoplifting roughly $163 worth of merchandise from Macy's. He was arrested.

Hit and Run

1600 W. Pioneer

Police, public works, and Puget Sound Energy employees were all dispatched after a small car speeding east on West Pioneer struck and completely dislodged a power pole before somehow driving away.

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Image via Puyallup Police Department