Robbery in dark parking lot

Around 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, officers were dispatched to the 4700 block of California Ave SW. The victim said that he was robbed at gunpoint in a bank parking lot. He and his girlfriend had just left a party and were walking back to his apartment, when he noticed a man in his peripheral vision.  The suspect approached and demanded the victim’s cell phone. The suspect had a gun in his waistband. The man then asked for the victim’s wallet. The victim dropped his phone and wallet on the ground. The suspect picked them up and then asked for the victim’s wristwatch. Once he obtained it, he told the victim to leave. The suspect left in a white Honda Accord with a missing back plate. The victim ran to his apartment and borrowed a phone from a passerby to call 911. Then, he used an app to locate his phone at 4 Ave S and S Mead. Officers went to the location and found the car described by the victim, which turned out to be a vehicle that had been reported stolen. Officers called to impound the car. There were no witnesses of the crime. 

Thieves take tools

A man remodeling a home in the 3800 block of 40 Ave SW called police around 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20 to report a burglary at the property. He had surveillance footage of the crime, which occurred around 1 a.m. An unknown man entered the home through a back door, forcing it open and then grabbing a bucket containing tools before he left. The victim showed officers the damage to the door. He was not sure how many tools were stolen. The victim emailed officers the surveillance footage, which was submitted into evidence. 

Burglary on 18th Ave

Officers arrived in the 8800 block of 18 Ave SW around 8 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19 after receiving a call about a burglary. The victim said she left home at 7:30 a.m. When she returned at 7:30 p.m., she discovered that her kitchen window was broken. There was glass shattered on the floor. Her husband cleaned up the mess and placed plastic over the window. The victim had not noticed anyone around her residence, nor did the neighbors. Officers checked for fingerprints but were unable to find any.

Robbery and assault on California Ave SW

Officers are investigating a robbery that occurred in the 4000 block of California Ave SW around 1 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18. The victim was at his residence on 34 Ave SW. He said that after midnight the night before, a close female friend arrived at his apartment, bringing with her a man he did not know. She said that the man was homeless and asked if he could stay the night at the victim’s house. He felt uncomfortable about the question but invited both to come inside. He offered to give the man $50 to find a hotel, but he only had a $100 bill. The three went to a gas station on California Ave SW to get change. When they realized the shop was closed, they walked north to find a bar to break the bill. They walked about eight blocks until they found a place to go. When he came back from the bar, the suspect grabbed him by the back of his jacket and repeatedly slammed his head against a parked box truck. The victim gave him all his money. The suspect then kicked him and pushed him into a puddle, before running away. The victim said he has not seen the woman or man since the robbery. He said they were both about 19 years old.