The following was compiled from Renton Police Department case reports.
A male suspect was seen walking out of Rent-a-Center on SE Carr Road on Nov. 26 carrying a 40-inch TV box that beeped, indicating that it was not deactivated. The suspect was described by a witness to be in his 40s with a medium build.
Police searched the area and found a suspect that matched the description. As soon as the suspect saw the police, he turned back and walked the opposite direction. Police ordered him to stop and the suspect complied.
As he was being detained, a Washington State Patrol trooper approached the police and informed them that the suspect had just walked out of the Fred Meyer on 108th Avenue SE. According to the trooper, the suspect had initially set off an alarm earlier when he walked out of the electronics area with a TV. He returned the TV and left the store, only to return later and walk out of the store with the TV again. The trooper, after being contacted by store associates, was looking for the same suspects. According to a witness, she saw the suspect with the TV box, drinking a liquor bottle. The area was searched, but the stolen TV — estimated value of $149.99 — was not found, however the stolen bottle of Hennessy Brandy was recovered.
The suspect is booked at SCORE jail for Theft to the third degree.
Frequent customer: A security guard at the Safeway on South Third Street noticed a frequent shoplifter enter the store on Nov. 23. He observed the male suspect through a camera and saw him shoplift a single can of beer and a sandwich in his backpack.
The security guard attempted to block the exit when the suspect attempted to leave, but the suspect walked past the guard. Outside the store, the pair had a brief struggle when the suspect pulled out a small knife and pointed it toward the guard. The guard released his grip over the suspect’s backpack and let him get away. He then went back into the store and contacted the police. There is no further information at this time.
Scare tactics: Police were dispatched to the 2800 block of Morris Avenue South after five calls regarding eight gunshots in the area on Nov. 25. Upon arrival, police found 10 9-mm shell casings in the area. One reporting party said that she saw a black sedan drive up toward her.
The male driver, likely in his 20s, pointed a black pistol in the air through the sunroof and fired the shots. She said she felt like he doing this to scare her, even though she has never seen him. There is no further suspect information at this time.
