Residents on Tuesday, Oct. 26, reported a number of vehicle prowls overnight in the Fir Crest area. One resident reported a vehicle window was broken and several others noted their vehicle doors were open in the morning. Items reported stolen include a speaker, keys, a vehicle title, change and a flashlight. Several people noted other items of value were left behind. At least two area residents provided video footage of the suspects. The investigation continues.
Here are some other cases APD reported this week.
Friday, October 22, 2021
Officers were dispatched to a theft at a business in the 2900 block of Commercial Venue around 7:40 p.m. An employee reported a man stole the tip jar with $7 to $20 in it. Officers checked the area but were unable to find the described suspect. Not long after, a second business in the 800 block of Commercial Avenue reported who was determined to be the same man stole the tip jar containing $75. An employee chased the 26-year-old Anacortes man into the alley and was able to retrieve the tip jar. The man left behind a bicycle and backpack, which were turned over to officers. The investigation continues.
Saturday, October 23, 2021
A stolen vehicle reportedly failed to stop in Island County and was possibly on its way to Anacortes. Officers responded to the area of Sharpes Corner to watch for the vehicle, which was seen not long after. An officer attempted to pull the vehicle over, but the driver continued on. A second officer put out spike strips, which the vehicle ran over. The vehicle still did not stop and officers continued to follow at a regular speed. The vehicle was later discovered on the side of the road with several doors open and nobody inside. Officers checked the immediate are but did not find anyone. Officers contacted the registered owner, who granted permission for a search of the vehicle. Officers retained several pieces of evidence and released the vehicle to a tow company.
A 28-year-old transient man faces a charge of theft and malicious mischief after allegedly damaging a vehicle and stealing items from a motorhome owned by a man known to him. The man was kicked out of the vehicle for reportedly using drugs, denting a rear portion as he left. He then reportedly returned and entered the motorhome, taking about $65 worth of items.
Sunday, October 24, 2021
A 51-year-old Seattle man was cited for theft after allegedly stealing a $35 bottle of whiskey from a grocery store around 1 p.m. Security footage revealed the man put the bottle in his jacket and left the store without paying. Officers found the man and retrieved the bottle. He advised he didn’t have any money, which is why he took the alcohol. Officers noted the man seemed surprised he was being charged with theft. He was also banned (trespassed, in police lingo) from the store. Later that evening, the man returned to the store. He now faces an additional charge of criminal trespass. Employees called after the man was reportedly throwing pumpkins against the building around 7:30 p.m. Officers contacted the man, who initially reported he was at “that other store.” But when informed he was seen on video, he apologized.
A caller reported a possible fight in the road around 7:15 p.m. near Seventh Street and I Avenue. Officers contacted a 46-year-old Anacortes man and a 40-year-old Anacortes man, who said they weren’t fighting and that they were just old friends loudly greeting each other.
Monday, October 25, 2021
A 60-year-old Anacortes man reported someone smashed out his truck’s driver’s side window and stole a $500 pair of binoculars overnight in the 2300 block of 33rd Street. Several other valuable items were left in the vehicle. His neighbor, a 63-year-old Anacortes man, reported his truck also had its window smashed out. Nothing appeared to be stolen. Items of value and cash were left behind. There are no suspects.
A 62-year-old Anacortes man reported his $2,000 Kawasaki motorcycle was stolen from in front of his house in the 1100 block of 34th Street. It was being offered for sale. A steel cable had been cut in order to take the motorcycle. There are no suspects.
A 24-year-old transient man faces charges of burglary, theft and resisting arrest after reportedly stealing a 12-pack of beer from a grocery store he had been banned from earlier this month. Officers were called around noon and were able to confirm the suspect’s identity via security footage. The man also had warrants out of Island County. Officers found the man in the 900 block of Commercial Avenue. The man was immediately agitated. While the officer talked with him, an unidentified citizen started recording the encounter. The man became agitated, though the officer said the citizen was allowed to film and tried to reassure the man. The man started walking away and refused to follow commands to stop. He started running and was taken into custody a few blocks away. The man resisted arrest, yelling profanities, and kicking. After a brief struggle, an officer was able to establish rapport and the man calmed. He was later transported to Island County Jail on his warrants.
Officers received a report of a deaf and blind dog standing in the road, refusing to move for the school bus around 3 p.m. Upon arrival, the dog’s owner was with the 17-year-old pooch. She said the wind blew the gate open and the dog accidentally got out. She walked the dog home.
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
A caller reported an 86-year-old Anacortes woman near McDonald’s appeared confused and lost around 12:45 a.m. She told officers she got turned around when walking home. She accepted a ride home.
A city employee reported extensive graffiti was found in the bathrooms at Storvik Park. It will take considerable work to remove it. Estimated damage is $500.
A sick domestic goose that had been hanging out in the area of R Avenue and Ninth Street for about a week was captured. It was transported to a vet for care and it will be adopted if unclaimed.
A school employee called to report a suspicious incident with a student. The student’s parent, a 38-year-old Anacortes man, said the boy had been walking to the pool from school. He was contacted by a woman in a black convertible who reportedly asked the boy to get into her car to take a selfie with her. The boy declined and continued on to the pool. The man said he was waiting there and checked the area for the woman. Officers checked the area for potential video footage but were unable to locate any. A school employee later called and provided a possible identity of the woman, who had been waiting to pick up her child and matched the description. Officers spoke with the 38-year-old Anacortes woman, who said she saw the boy taking pictures of her convertible. She said she was trying to be nice and asked if he wanted her to take a picture of him with the car or something similar. She said she never requested the juvenile get in the car.
A 49-year-old Anacortes woman called to report that she was waiting near a park for the school bus to drop off her kids when a man walked into his yard. She said that isn’t unusual, but this time she noted he was fidgeting with his shirt. He then pulled his sweatpants down and exposed his genitals. The woman said she was shocked and asked that officers speak with the man. Officers contacted the 76-year-old man, who said he had not intentionally exposed himself and didn’t know anyone could see into his property. An officer noted there was a gate and shrubs semi-blocking the view of the roadway. The man said he often urinates outside when he lets his dog out and usually checks the area before doing so. Officers encouraged the man to use his bathroom indoors instead of risking exposing himself, which he agreed.
A 51-year-old Seattle man was arrested on a charge of burglary after returning to a store he had previously been banned from and allegedly stealing $45 worth of merchandise around 4 p.m. Officers contacted him after a second business reported he was causing issues. Officers found stolen property on the man, which was confirmed by security video. The man reportedly got upset and denied being in the store. He was booked into jail.
Thursday, October 28, 2021
A 54-year-old Anacortes woman reported her 72-year-old husband was trying to empty their bank and 401(k) accounts after being threatened. She provided officers with a phone number, which initially was answered by a man with an accent claiming to be David from Social Security. A second call went to a generic voicemail. The officer noted it was a scam and the woman agreed. She planned to work with the bank to protect their accounts.
A 32-year-old Anacortes woman reported a burglary that happened earlier in the week. She returned home around 3 p.m. Monday and noticed the back door cracked open. She thought she may have forgotten to shut it when she left. She checked the house and didn’t see anything amiss. Today, she went to turn on her tv and noticed she didn’t have any internet access as the modem was missing. She believed it has been missing since Monday, since her internet hasn’t been working since then. Estimated loss is $100.
Friday, October 29, 2021
A 48-year-old Anacortes man was banned from a rehab facility after reportedly refusing to leave the property around 2:30 a.m. An employee called police after seeing a man walking around the property outside with a flashlight, carrying two sticks and with his dog. She went out with a gas station type stun gun for her protection and told the man he needed to leave. The man reportedly said he did not need to leave, saying he knows the director of the facility. However, the name he provided is not the director nor an employee. He reportedly threatened to have his dog bite the employee if she used the stun gun. She called 911. Officers later found the man nearby. He said he was using his dog as protection but said little else about the incident. The sticks he was carrying appeared to be toys for the dog. He was banned from the property. He asked what to do if he knows somebody in the facility. Officers relayed that he could call but may not physically return for one year.