Cougar Sighting, Shoplifting Bonanzas, And So Many Bad Teens: Log

PUYALLUP, WA — More car prowls and shoplifting incidents were reported in Puyallup over the past few days, but perhaps not nearly as many as teens running amok throughout the city. And someone spotted a cougar, too. Find those stories and more in this Puyallup police crime blotter, covering select incidents logged between June 17 and 21.

Vehicle Prowl

1600-block of East Main Avenue

A man seen driving a Jeep in this area was reportedly spotted breaking into a black Jeep Wrangler and stealing keys, an ID, a health card, and various credit cards. The man is thought to be roughly 25 years old and was wearing a black shirt with yellow writing on the back when he was seen.

FIR / CPS / Assault

1416 14th St. S.W. - Puyallup Hatchery, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

A passerby found a child covered in a blanket huddled near the construction fence. The child claimed to be an 11-year-old transient that had been dumped there. After an extensive amount of investigative work (and lots of help from our SRO), the identity and age of the juvenile was discovered.

The juvenile’s adopted mother lived nearby and responded to pick her up. After trying to flee from her mother, she pushed an officer and ended up in handcuffs. She was eventually released to her mother with report forwarded to CPS and Juvenile Prosecutor for review.

Fire Assist / Runaway Recovery / MIP

1621 10th Ave. N.W. - Sam Peach Park

Officers responded for an overdose at the park and located an intoxicated 16-year-old. He was not overdosing, but he was found to be a missing person. He was released to his parents, and report to Juvenile Prosecutor for charging.

Runaway Recovery / NVOL

1200 S. Meridian

A 16-year-old was identified on a traffic stop as a missing person. He was removed from the system, reunited with his family, and cited for NVOL.

Runaway

701 43rd Ave. S.E. - Glenbrooke Apartments

A 14-year-old left to hang out with friends and didn’t return home. She has a history of theft and alcohol use but has not run away previously. She was entered as missing. Report to ISU.

Burglary

500-block of Fourth Avenue Southeast

A garage door was forced open and a power washer and gas can were stolen.

Theft from Vehicle/Prowl

2000-block of Fifth Avenue Northwest

Someone broke into a vehicle in this area through the rear passenger-side door by prying it open. Stolen items included sunglasses, vehicle registration, trailer keys, and a knife.

Curiously, the burglar left behind a set of bolt cutters and an empty beer can, as if the suspect was interrupted and left in a hurry, police officials said.

The beer can was seized as evidence.

Motor Vehicle Theft

2000-block of Fifth Avenue Northwest

Sometime overnight, a resident's red 2006 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen from his driveway. Nearby, two neighbors reported their vehicles were also burglarized — but not stolen.

Theft of Large Tricycle

407 Valley Ave. N.E. - Meridian Pointe Apartments

Sometime overnight, someone stole a "root beer-colored" Raleigh senior tricycle from a 79-year-old resident. The tricycle reportedly can be identified by its leather seat and rear-mounted wire basket. However, the owner was unable to provide a serial number.

Cougar Sighting

1600-block of 23rd Avenue Southeast

A resident in this neighborhood told police they saw a cougar on the Northside of the nearby elementary school; it reportedly passed through a greenbelt and then a backyard before disappearing. No other sightings of the animal were reported, but Fish and Wildlife officials were notified.

Theft

3500 S. Meridian - Dick’s Sporting Goods

A white male stole a Yeti cooler and an air mattress before fleeing in a tan Dodge Durango. Report to ISU.

Theft / Malicious Mischief

600-block of Seventh Avenue Northwest

A motorized mobility scooter (red and blue with flowers painted onto the white wheels) was stolen off the back of his van. The straps used to hold the scooter had been cut.

Theft / Fraud

1201 39th Ave. S.W. - Costco

An employee advised that a 12-year-old male opened up her passenger side car door and stole her purse. The child then got into an orange sedan that fled the scene. $500 in fraudulent charges were made on the victim’s bank card. Report to ISU.

Theft

3500 S. Meridian - Dick’s Sporting Goods

A female stole $440 worth of merchandise from the store and was not located. Report to ISU.

Theft (License Plate)

2000-block of Seventh Avenue Southwest

Between 7 - 7:30 a.m. someone stole the front license plate off the victim’s 2002 Ford F350. The plate was entered as stolen.

MVTR

400-block of South Meridian

At approximately 7:08 a.m. someone stole the victim’s 2000 Ford F250. The vehicle was entered as stolen.

Theft

100-block of West Main

A white teen boy reportedly stole a light green cart with "PMSA" written on it. The boy was riding a BMX-style bicycle and wore a green helmet.

MVTR

400-block of Fourth Street Northeast

Sometime overnight someone stole the victim’s 2005 Suzuki motorcycle. The motorcycle was entered as stolen.

MVTR

1100 N. Meridian - Fred Meyer

A victim reported her green 1999 Honda Civic as stolen from the parking lot. The theft took place between 7 - 8 p.m. The vehicle was entered in WACIC/NCIC.

DUI

700-block of Second Street Northeast

An officer watched as a woman drove over a sidewalk and off a curb, in addition to several other traffic violations. She was pulled over and agreed to participate in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST).

After the officer found the woman's BAC result was roughly double the legal limit, and the woman said she'd been drinking at a local bar, she was arrested.

Warrant Arrest/Malicious Mischief (Tagging)

2101 Seventh Ave S.W. - Decoursey Park

An officer contacted a vehicle in the park after hours. The driver was identified as 16-year-old male who had warrants for burglary 2nd degree and assault 4 out of Yakima. He was arrested and booked at Remann Hall.

During the investigation officers observed fresh graffiti on the bathroom building. The graffiti was painted in blue spray paint and consistent with other recent tagging in the city.

Officers observed a can of blue spray paint in the car. The owner of the car could not be located to give consent to search. There was no driver available, so the vehicle was impounded.

Theft

912 15th Ave. S.W.

A late thirties white male stole the victim’s yard cart. The cart is green in color.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Warrant

2500-block of South Meridian

A 24-year-old male was contacted and arrested for a DOC warrant. During a search, methamphetamine was located on his person. He was booked.

Burglary

2900-block of Fourth Street Place Southeast

Sometime overnight someone broke into the victim’s unsecured shed and stole his power washer and bicycle.

Fraud

400 Valley Ave. N.E. - Miles Sand & Gravel

An employee at Miles Sand & Gravel corporate officer in Puyallup received an email from someone claiming to be the employee's boss. The emailer requested the employee purchase five gift cards from Target for a total of $500, then email back the gift card numbers.

Only after the fact did the employee realize the email did not actually come from his boss.

Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Making False Statements

300-block of 43rd Avenue Southeast

A 20-year-old male was contacted in a suspicious vehicle. He lied about his name and was in possession of drug paraphernalia that he had just used. He was booked.

Fraud/Counterfeit Bills

3703 Ninth St. S.W. - BJ’s Brew House

After enjoying $100 worth of food and drinks, a man and woman left two fake $100 bills on the table and fled.

DUI

400 N. Meridian

A male was stopped for lane travel and expired tabs. He agreed to perform SFSTs, including a PBT. PBT was 0.113. He was arrested for DUI and DWLS 3rd.

Once inside the jail he provided breath samples which were 0.114 & 0.119. He was previously arrested for a DUI, about four months ago. He was booked.

Apparently he didn’t learn his lesson.

Theft

3310 S. Meridian - Target

Target Loss Prevention staff stopped a woman as she pushed a cart out the front doors loaded with $1,431 in merchandise, for which she did not pay. After she was detained, the woman feigned several medical issues in an attempt to avoid arrest, police said.

She was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where she was ultimately cleared of any medical problems. She was subsequently taken to Pierce County jail.