Puyallup Police Reports: Vandalized Nativity Scene, Drunk Driver Stuck on Train Tracks and More

DEC. 11, 2012

DUI: A driver took a wrong turn westbound on the railroad tracks and made it about 50 feet down the track before her car got stuck. Witnesses watched her trying to reverse her car to get out. She admitted to drinking three bottles of wine before noon and was booked for DUI.

Warrant Arrest, Freezing Nights Fight: Police responded to the West Pioneer Presbyterian Church for a report of a physical fight between two Freezing Nights guests inside the church. A children’s Christmas Concert was just ending inside another part of the building. One of the men involved in the fight fled, the other was arrested for an outstanding warrant. 

DEC. 12, 2012

Car Prowler Caught: A suspected car prowler was arrested near the Red Robin at South Hill Mall. He confessed to stealing from numerous vehicles in the parking lot and consented to police search of his vehicle. All the stolen property was returned to the victims.

Warrant Arrest: A man with felony warrants ran from a Puyallup Police officer after he was seen driving a vehicle with suspicious plates. He attempted to hide from custody inside the FedEx bathroom. He had a suspended license and warrants for possession of stolen property and eluding police.

Garage burglary: Stereo speakers were stolen from a garage in the Glenbrooke Apartments.

Warrant Arrest: Police arrested the “lunch wagon” guy who has been selling tainted food to car salesmen on River Road. He was arrested for two outstanding warrants and the Health Department was called.

DEC. 13, 2012

Vehicle Theft: A 1995 maroon Honda Accord was stolen from behind a business at 211 Meridian.

Commercial Burglary: A resident on E. Main reported the sounds of a prowler in the area and loud crashing sounds. Police located a man nearby who had a credit card machine from Taco Time in his possession. Police checked with Taco Time and discovered it had been burglarized that night but police had not been notified. The suspect also had other stolen property from car prowls in the area; he was booked for burglary and possession of stolen property.

Drugs: Police arrested two individuals for using heroin in a car parked in the Walmart parking lot.

Vehicle Theft: A 1987 blue Nissan Pathfinder was stolen from in front of a residence on 13th St. SW. The resident reported hearing a ‘scratching sound,’ which she now assumes to be someone sawing off the club on her steering wheel.

Vehicle Prowls: Vehicle prowls occurred at Taco Time, Crossroads at Meridian and behind Starbucks on River Road.

DEC. 14, 2012

Car Prowl: A vehicle was prowled at the Crossroad Apartments and multiple work tools were stolen.

Attempted Vehicle Prowl: A victim saw a man break into his car on S. Meridian and he grabbed his gun and went to confront the suspect. The man walked away, toolbox in hand, but his accomplice was arrested for possession of stolen property.

Underage Cigarette Smoker: The grandmother of a Kalles Jr. High student reported to the school that her 13-year-old grandson smelled of cigarettes. The school office searched the student’s backpack and found a pack of cigarettes.

DEC. 15, 2012

Liquor Theft: Two white males in their 20s, associated with a dark green Ford SUV, stole $30 worth of liquor from Safeway.

Marijuana at School: Two students at Ferrucci Jr. High were caught smoking marijuana on school property.

Weapon Theft: A man reported that a pistol and crossbow were stolen from him and he suspected a former roommate of pawning the items.

Commercial Burglary: Someone pried open the cabinet doors of the AT&T kiosk in the South Hill Mall and stole almost $17,000 worth of high-end iPhones. An employee at a nearby store thought the suspect looked suspicious in the kiosk but didn’t notify police. The suspect is thought to be a 20-year-old black male, approximately 5 foot 6, 140 pounds.

DEC. 16, 2012

Disorderly Conduct: Police and fire responded to the covered shelter at the Sounder Station on three separate occasions with reports from the same caller for incidents involving Freezing Nights guests. Several of the people in the shelter were covered in vomit and urine and appeared to be very intoxicated but there was no medical emergency that occurred. The reporting party, who was also a Freezing Nights guest, was advised not to call 9-11 again unless there was a real emergency.

Drug Violation: A Puyallup Jail investigation determined that one incarcerated suspect was smuggling methamphetamine into the jail through coffee creamer containers brought in by his family. The jail was put on lockdown and a K-9 unit responded. The investigation is ongoing.

Domestic Assault, Resisting Arrest: A man became extremely intoxicated after his wife served him with divorce papers and he went on a rampage inside his sister’s house. He destroyed several drinking glasses and struck his sister. He fled on his bicycle when police were called but attempted to return to the residence. A short scuffle with police ensued before he was booked into jail.

Vehicle Theft, Stolen Gun: A 1992 Jeep Cherokee was stolen and an unlocked rife and ammo were inside the car at the time. The vehicle was recovered the same evening in a Tacoma alley, but the gun and ammo are still missing.

Found Property, Drugs: A small brown pouch was found at the Fred Meyer gas pumps. Inside was a large amount of methamphetamine and heroin, plus some pills and two credit cards belonging to two different people.

DEC. 17, 2012

Found Property: Councilmember Knutsen reported that two yard gnomes were placed on the curb in front of his house a few days prior. No neighbors claimed them, so he turned them in to police.

Freezing Nights Contact: A guest at the Freezing Nights program at Community Christ Church was trespassed for three days from the program after becoming belligerent with staff when he was stopped from retrieving his bag, which was packed away with the belongings of other guests.

Liquor Theft: A 17-year-old boy was arrested for attempting to steal liquor from Fred Meyer on N. Meridian.

Attempted Commercial Burglary: The owner of Lee’s Martial Arts reported that unknown suspects pried open the front metal door sometime over the weekend, causing damage. The door held and no entry was made.

Armed Robbery: Two felons from Sumner were arrested for holding the South Hill Pit Stop at gunpoint. Read more on Patch.

Stolen Vehicle: A 1998 Honda Civic was stolen from 23rd Ave. SW.

Vehicle Prowl: A volunteer at the First Baptist Church reported that most of his truck engine was stolen while parked in the parking lot. He leaves it there to use for church errands.

Destruction of Property: Someone destroyed a lawn cross and spray painted on some nativity pieces outside a residence at the Fairmont Apartments.