The following arrest information was supplied by the Gig Harbor Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
Theft/Arrest: On Nov. 21, the victim was at Panera Bread when his phone slipped out of his pocket when he got up from his seat. Soon after, he noticed 3 people, two women and a man, sitting in the location he was previously sitting and left. When he realized his phone was missing, he went to the seating area but did not find his phone. He saw the three walk toward Cutters Point. When the victim confronted them about his phone, they denied taking it. The three left the cafe, but the victim reported the license plate number to police.
Gig Harbor Police later located the car at Burger King on Kimball Drive. During the interview process, the three eventually admitted to taking the phone. Police arrested the 19-year-old woman for third-degree theft. For the 16-year-old woman and the 17-year-old man, the report will be forwarded to Remann Hall for third-degree theft charges.
The suspects said they broke the phone and tossed it out of the vehicle in two different locations.
Fraud/Vehicle Prowl/Vandalism: On Nov. 24, an unknown suspect shattered the front passenger window of a car parked at the Gig Harbor Family YMCA and stole a purse from under the seat. The bag contained the victim's wallet, ID, credit cards and keys. The victim discovered that the cards had been used to pay $4,300 at Home Depot and unknown amount at Shell gas station.
Shoplifting: On Nov. 24, police responded to the Chevron gas station in reference to a shoplifting. The employee said the suspect entered the store and shoved several cans of beer into his jacket and went to the bathroom. The employee later found a beer can that was opened in the bathroom. Four other cans were also missing.
Shoplifting: On Nov. 24, police were dispatched to Albertsons in reference to a shoplifting. The employees said they chased 3 men out of the store toward Harbor Hill Drive. Several officers and Tacoma K9 attempted to locate the suspects but were not successful.
The security video showed 6 men make at least two trips out of the store from the liquor aisle. The store employees believe they stole an extensive amount of liquor, worth $45 to $55 each. Police say the thieves also hit QFC and Safeway in the recent weeks.
Vehicle Prowl: On Nov. 27, police were dispatched to a vehicle prowl at the Cushman Trail Head. An unknown suspect(s) broke the front passenger side window and stole a gym bag with several items including clothes, wallet, cellphone and camera. The credit card was used to fraudulently buy $81 in merchandise at Fred Meyer. The thief also used an undetermined amount at a Shell gas station.
Vehicle Prowl: On Nov. 28, police responded to a vehicle prowl at the Target parking lot. Two pairs of boots were stolen out of the back of the car. Security footage showed a man enter the victim's car. One of the windows was slightly opened because the victim had a dog inside.
Warrant/Shoplifting/Arrest: On Nov. 27, police were dispatched to Albertsons again in reference to a shoplifting. The employee said he saw two men walking away from the store and may have stolen some bottles of liquor. They left in a car and was witnessed traveling eastbound on Highway 16.
Shortly afterward near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Toll Plaza, Gig Harbor Police stopped a car that matched the employee's description.
One of the men, a 21-year-old Tacoma resident, was arrested for two outstanding warrants from Tukwila and was transported to King County Jail.
They also issued a notice of infraction for speeding, failing to provide proof of insurance and no valid operators license to the other 21-year-old man, who was driving the car.
There was also a woman in the car, but she denied being at Albertsons earlier that day.
Police also noted on the report that they smelled a "distinct odor of burnt marijuana" and saw a full bottle of vodka inside the car.
The driver denied the police request for permission to search the vehicle.
The case is still under investigation. If you have any information regarding the theft, contact Gig Harbor Police at 253-851-2236.
For questions about this blotter, email akiko.oda@patch.com.
