Kent Police Blotter: Dec. 27, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024

A sampling of Kent Police incidents from Dec. 27, 2023 to Jan. 7, 2024:

Dec. 27

House squatters: Officers were dispatched to a possible in-progress residential burglary at 115 Naden Ave S. The reporting party called 911 after arriving at the house to check on it for an ill family member hospitalized since Halloween. Upon arrival, the pair found the driveway gate to the home to be cut and forced open, the outside of the house with debris and trash everywhere, one of the family vehicles in a state of disrepair and appears to have been lived in, as well as a separate vehicle missing, presumably stolen. Before entering the house, the homeowners heard a noise and backed out, calling 911. Officers responded to the location and surrounded the house. Mechanical sounds consistent with a running washer/dryer were heard inside. Once a perimeter was set, officers entered the residence to clear it, finding two transient individuals who had moved in. Both were taken into custody without incident, and a significant amount of methamphetamine was also located.

Motel shooting: Police units were dispatched to Kent Valley Motel, 743 Central Ave. N., to the report of a shooting. A lone male adult was found in the middle of the parking lot, suffering from a single gunshot to the thigh that exited below his buttocks. The victim stated that the shots came from inside a black Kia that was on Central Avenue. Casings were found in both the northbound and southbound lanes of travel as well as the sidewalk fronting. Witnesses reported hearing a total of four to five gunshots.

Dec. 28

Stolen vehicle at park: A stolen vehicle was recovered at Lake Meridian Park, 1400 SE 272nd St. A detective had been at the park in his unmarked police vehicle when he spotted the reported stolen vehicle in the parking lot. Officers made contact with the car, detaining four juveniles without incident.

Attempted robbery: 8:38 p.m., a patrol was dispatched to an attempted robbery of a delivery driver at 11000 SE 248th St. The suspects had approached the driver after he exited his vehicle and pointed a pistol at him. The driver, who had no cash, was able to return to his car and speed off.

Drive-by shooting: 8:44 p.m., patrol responded to a drive-by shooting at the Lighthouse Apartments, 10710 SE 256th St. It appears the suspect targeted unit F, firing around seven shots at the occupied unit, striking the apartment and several vehicles.

Dec. 31

Car into building: A male suspect thought his vehicle was in reverse when it was in drive. He drove the car into an apartment building with a minor injury to the driver. The driver was arrested for DUI.

Assault: Officers took a phone report of an assault that happened the day prior at 26138 68th Ave S. During the investigation, it was determined that the primary victim was pistol-whipped, and the suspect threatened to kill him several times while pointing a handgun at the victim’s head. Most of the encounter was caught on a clear recording via surveillance cameras outside the residence. Officers canvassed the area for casings but were unable to locate any.

Shooting: 12:03 a.m., patrol responded to the Kent Valley Motel, 743 Central Ave. N., in response to a shooting. The victim had been outside when the suspect(s) shot at him from a vehicle. The victim was unsure why the suspects had shot at him. Numerous casings were found.

Robbery: 8:20 a.m., patrol responded to a shooting in the back parking lot of McLendon Hardware, 23662 104th Ave. SE,. The victim relayed that around two hours ago, he had been robbed at gunpoint, and the suspect shot him once in the leg after stealing his phone.

Jan. 2

Robbery: 12:57 a..m., patrol responded to a robbery at 64th Avenue South and South 212th Street. The victim had been waiting for the bus at the bus stop when a vehicle stopped, and several suspects got out and demanded their phone at gunpoint.

Robbery arrest: 1:09 a.m., patrol responded to a robbery at the Quality Inn, 1711 W. Meeker St. The victim had been outside when another guest brandished a firearm and took his phone. While officers were on scene investigating the incident, they located the suspect and were able to arrest him.

Bus stop robbery: 5:44 a.m., patrol responded to a robbery in the area of SE 256th Street and 132nd Avenue SE. The victim had been at a bus stop when a dark sedan stopped, and several people with masks got out. Initially, they asked him for gas money, then demanded his wallet.

Busted window: Officers investigated after being dispatched to a report of a female who broke out a residential window at 25010 111th Ave. SE. Officers contacted the victim, who provided suspect information, and were able to explain the circumstances of this known suspect breaking their window.

Jan. 3

Suspicious vehicle: Officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at Berkeley Heights Apartments. The reporting party advised that a BMW was parked outside the “E” building and was running with unknown occupants. Linked into the call was a plate that came as a listed stolen license plate. Officers arrived and found the vehicle occupied by at least one individual passed out in the driver’s seat. Once sufficient backing units arrived, officers repositioned his truck to block the car, and a high-risk vehicle stop was conducted. Upon hearing the commands from officers, the driver opened the door and attempted to flee on foot up a rock retaining wall. Officers challenged the man and commanded him to stop before deploying a Taser to stop the subject. The subject was taken into custody without further incident.

Circle K robbery: Officers responded to a recent robbery at gunpoint at Circle K, 1809 W. Meeker St. Three young males threatened the employee at gunpoint and stole cash and tobacco products from the store before fleeing in a white sedan eastbound. The victim stated that all three suspects were dressed in black, carrying pistols with extended magazines in them. Officers aired the suspect description and informing surrounding agencies about the involvement. Automated Fingerprint Identification System was called to assist because the suspects did not wear gloves during the robbery.

Jan. 4

Drive-by shooting: 6:20 p.m., officers were dispatched to a possible drive-by shooting at the Homestead Apartments, 20615 108th Ave. SE. The suspect in a silver Pontiac had fired his gun at someone and then parked his car in the back of the complex. Orders to stop were initially ignored, but as the suspect got close to the entrance, he gave up and was detained without incident. A spent casing was located under the windshield wipers of the suspect car. That car was sealed up and taken to our impound lot as evidence. The suspect was booked into the county jail.

Jan. 5

Unwanted subject: Officers responded to an unwanted subject call at West Meeker Street and Washington Avenue with an apparent excited delirium situation. Officers coordinated and directed the response and chose a perfect time to move in to restrain the subject. It all ended well, with the patient off to the hospital and no injuries to anyone.

Jan. 7

Suspicious vehicles: 12:56 a.m., officers responded to two occupied suspicious vehicles near 20449 105th Ave SE. The resident where the vehicle was ditched stated the car was not theirs and they needed it moved by police. Officers facilitated the towing process, and an inventory search was done. A tan/black Glock handgun was found under the passenger seat of the Ford Focus. Officers sealed up the car and authored a search warrant to retrieve the unlawfully stowed firearm. The next day, the search warrant was executed, and the firearm was retrieved. The gun was entered into evidence.

Apartment robbery: 9:06 p.m., officers responded to a robbery at Riverwood Apartments, 24620 Russell Road. The victim had just left a friend’s apartment and was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle when the suspect opened his car door and pointed a gun at him, demanding his wallet and vehicle. The suspect left the scene in the victim’s vehicle.