The following was compiled from Renton Police Department case reports.
The Mitsubishi Lancer that a Renton Police commander was pursuing Jan. 30 on Benson Road South was more than just a vehicle reported stolen in Federal Way the day before.
What the commander didn’t know immediately was that inside was someone who had just stolen a $4,000 necklace from a nearby pawn shop.
Nor did he know yet there was a Smith and Wesson 38 caliber firearm strapped with tape under the rear bumper. There were four rounds in the chamber.
The commander terminated his pursuit of the traffic violator because of the risk to other motorists. The Lancer was spotted by another officer turning into the Berkshire apartment complex, where it knocked down mail boxes and nearly hit a woman and other vehicles.
The three male juveniles inside fled. The engine was sputtering; loud music blared from inside. The officer was overwhelmed with the smell of freshly burnt marijuana.
During all this, the manager of a pawn shop had called 911 to report the theft of a 14-karat gold necklace. He showed the young man the necklace only after he provided some identification. The man then fled with the necklace, leaving behind his New York identification.
The Lancer was towed away because of the damage to it.
DISORDERLY: A 23-year-old Renton man faced a citation for disorderly conduct Jan. 31 after he stood in dark clothing in a poorly lit stretch of Northeast Sunset Boulevard in an attempt to commit suicide.
A witness pulled the man from the roadway before officers arrived. The suspect told the good samaritan and another witness that he was in the road because he wanted to die.
He was hit by a vehicle at about 6 p.m. that didn’t have time to avoid him. He suffered a broken leg and was taken to Valley Medical Center and was involuntarily committed.
iPAD STOLEN: A $250 iPad was stolen from the GameStop on South Second Street Jan. 31, the same store where an employee was assaulted with a knife on Jan. 14.
The suspect asked about trading games but ended up just looking around the store. While a second man asked the clerk questions, the suspect walked behind the counter and stole the iPad. They then walked from the store.
The suspect provided his phone number while he talked with the clerk about trading games.
PUNCHED FOR NO REASON: A 16-year-old Renton girl was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack Jan. 28 as she walked from the Walgreen’s on Rainier Avenue South.
Renton Police officers located the suspect, who is known to officers, about three blocks way on Rainier. The victim was brought to the scene and identified him.
The 33-year-old man, who gets his mail at a mission house in Tacoma, admitted he punched a girl outside Walgreen’s but he told an officer, “I don’t know why.”
He was booked into the SCORE regional jail for investigation of fourth-degree assault.
