Employees of a local store Thursday afternoon called to report that a couple had come in to the store and tried to steal a vacuum cleaner. They explained to the officer taking the report that a man and woman had come in to the store and been given some assistance with some questions that they had about vacuums. Then, the man went outside and backed their car up toward the front of the store and opened the trunk. The woman picked up one of the vacuums and carried it out and prepared to put it in the car before having paid for it. An employee confronted her and she claimed that she was going to pay for it but wanted to put it in the car first. Now, she stated that she wanted a different vacuum, so she and her male companion walked back in to the store and picked up a different vacuum, this time carrying it to the back of the store and looking for an alternate exit. An employee stopped them and directed them to the cash register at the front of the store. While standing in front of the register, the male claimed that he had been struck by the vacuum cleaner box. The employees of the store had seen enough and asked the couple to leave and not return….which they did, but only after hurling some choice vulgarities and gestures.
Coincidentally, the woman had also called 911, claiming that the couple had been falsely accused of a crime at the store and that the male subject had been punched by a store employee. Officers had already reviewed the store’s video system when they arrived at her home on 29th Street. After listening to the woman’s side of the story, an officer advised her that he did not believe her since that the video of the event proved that no assault had occurred. He completed a trespass warning, which she refused to sign. Instead, she swore loudly at the officer and yelled, “…don’t get shot today!” in a threatening fashion.
Investigation showed that the woman was currently assigned to the city’s Court Work Program, a project that allows people to serve their prior criminal sentences on work projects in the community rather than in jail. The attempted theft, vulgar behavior in public, and threatening comments toward the police officer were all violations of that program. Chief Bowers contacted her and advised her that she would now be handed back over to the court for sentencing.
Here are some of the other cases Anacortes Police worked on this week.
Saturday, April 12
10:35 am. The resident of a home on F Ave reported that she had been the victim of the theft of some jewelry. She told the officer taking the report that she suspected that employees of a cleaning service who had been at her home likely stole some of her daughter’s jewelry, including a sapphire ring worth an estimated $8,000. The matter is currently under investigation.
7:18 pm. Sleeping in a restaurant is a bad idea. In this case, the manager of a fast food restaurant on Commercial Ave called to ask that a man sleeping at a table be contacted and asked to leave. Officers woke the man up and asked him to be on his way. During the conversation they discovered that he was carrying a bag of loose pills, which he claimed he had a prescription for, but not with him (which is required by law). The pills were confiscated and the man sent on his way. Subsequent investigation showed that the man did actually have a prescription for that type of medication and the pills were returned to him. He was instructed to carry his medication in a properly labeled pill bottle issued by a pharmacy, in accordance with state law.
7:54 pm. Officers went to an apartment near the high school on 17th Street after receiving information that there was a party going on involving juveniles who were drinking alcohol. Several juveniles initially tried to climb out a back window of the residence as the police arrived, but they were caught and instructed to go back in to the apartment. Following an investigation at the scene a total of six teenagers, all under the age of 18, were arrested for underage drinking. They were each handed over to their parents or guardians and charges have been filed through the court. The investigation in to who provided the alcohol for the party continues. Any adults involved in helping the group get alcohol will be charged accordingly.
Sunday, April 13
2:35 am. An officer stopped a vehicle on Oakes Ave that was traveling about 15 MPH over the 30 MPH speed limit. He noted that there was a noticeable smell of intoxicants coming from inside the vehicle, despite that the driver was 16 years of age and the passenger in the car 15. The driver denied drinking any alcohol, but a series of roadside sobriety checks revealed that he was lying. He was placed under arrest for DUI and transported to the station. His passenger had also been drinking; he was placed under arrest and taken home to his parents. They were advised that their son was going to be charged with under-age drinking. The vehicle was impounded. At the office, the driver of the vehicle submitted two breath samples that were well over the legal limit of .02 BAC for anyone under the age of 21. He was charged with DUI and released to his parents.
1:00 pm. The owner of an unlocked bicycle called to report that it had been stolen while he was in a downtown restaurant. The area was checked and the bike was not found. Later in the week a call was received reporting an abandoned bike on 21st Street. The abandoned bike turned out to be the stolen bike from this case; it was returned to its owner
7:10 pm. An officer recognized a 43-year-old Anacortes man that she suspected might have warrants. A records check confirmed that there was a felony warrant out for his arrest from Island County Superior Court for a Probation Violation. She contacted him walking near the 1100 block of 4th Street and placed him under arrest. He was handcuffed, and then searched. During the search the officer recovered heroin and drug paraphernalia from the suspect, who admitted that he had recently started using the drug again after being clean for a while. The suspect was handed over to an Island County Deputy and booked in to the Island County Jail. Felony drug charges have been filed in Skagit County against the suspect.
Monday, April 14
11:05 am. The animal control officer and a patrol officer both responded to an animal complaint on Sunset Drive after a citizen called to complain that two barking and snarling dogs were loose in the area. The two dogs charged and barked at the animal control officer when she arrived in the area and they refused to back down. Finally, the owner came out of his residence and was able to get the two dogs under control. The 25-year-old owner of the dogs was issued a citation for allowing them to run loose. He was also directed to obtain a city dog license.
Tuesday, April 15
7:30 am. A business located on Stevenson Road called to report that there had been a break-in overnight. Investigation at the scene showed that the suspect(s) had entered the business and taken a laptop computer. A flashlight that was left behind by the suspect was recovered at the scene. The investigation continues.
10:27 am. A 13-year-old Anacortes teenager was taken in to custody at his home after he screamed at his mother while holding a meat cleaver. Officers responded to the address on the west side of the city and could hear the juvenile yelling from several houses away. When officers entered the residence they observed the juvenile holding his mother’s wrists and screaming at her. During the ensuing investigation the mother and son both stated that he had gone in to the kitchen and picked up a meat cleaver at one point during the argument. The boy stated that he had grabbed the cleaver in an effort to intimidate his mother. During the course of the discussions with his mother and the officers, he repeatedly stated that he was not going to follow any rules of the home, that he was not going to listen to anything his mother said and that he would rather be in juvenile detention. He was handcuffed and transported to juvenile detention where he was booked.
3:06 pm. A woman reported that her son had left his bike at the Middle School over a weekend. When he came back on Monday morning the bike had been stolen. Officers searched for the red, white and black, Trek 21 speed without success. If you have found a similar bike please contact APD reference this case number.
8:53 pm. Officers responded to a 911 call at an address on 13th Street and spoke with a man who stated that his girlfriend had torn up the inside of their apartment in a fit of anger. They entered the apartment and found the suspect, a 51-year-old Anacortes woman, amidst a lot of broken furniture and decorations. She was intoxicated, and stated that she had broken everything because she was angry and had been arguing with her boyfriend. The woman was arrested and booked in to the county jail for Malicious Mischief in violation of the Domestic Violence Protection Act.
Wednesday, April 16
2:42 pm. Employees of the Anacortes Housing Authority called to report that someone had damaged the bus stop enclosure provided by the Housing Authority on 22nd St. near Q Ave. Examination showed that one of the glass panels on the north side of the enclosure had been broken out. There are no suspects at this time, but if you have any information as to who is responsible for this crime you can call and report it anonymously to the Anacortes PD TipLine at 360-299-1985.
Thursday, April 17
12:02 pm. Officers contacted a man in the parking lot of a local gas station after receiving information that he had been acting strangely and had been pounding on his car. Based on the man’s behavior he was asked to leave the premise and was issued a trespass warning, preventing him from returning. Officers assisted him with getting some fuel in his car and getting his car out of the parking lot before leaving the 38-year-old man to set off down the road on his own.