By Thurston Chronicle staff
The Olympia Police Department responded to a total 1,993 calls for service over the last two weeks.
The department remarked upon the following notable trends:
- Four aggravated assaults reported over the two-week period with two arrests, and one referred to the prosecutor. In one arrest, the suspect punched, kicked and strangled the victim. In another arrest, a neighbor sprayed the victim with bare mace unprovoked. Charges were referred to the prosecutor in another case where a third party reported text messages from the victim disclosing strangling and injuries. In the last case, the suspect asked the victim if they had any dope and sprayed them with bear mace when the victim answered no.
- Three auto thefts reported with one arrest. Two cases were attempts only. The attempts were on Kias that both had their windows shattered and steering column and ignitions damaged. In the arrest, the suspect stole a 1998 Honda Civic that was left running outside a restaurant. Partner agencies pursued the vehicle, and the suspect was arrested.
- Five residential burglaries reported over the two weeks with one arrest. In four cases, the locks were broken or defeated by kicking the door. Installing a deadbolt with at least a one-inch throw and checking that screws on your strike plate are three inches will help prevent a suspect kicking a door in.
- Two rapes reported that are open investigations. The victims knew the suspects.
- Four robberies reported with one still an open investigation. The other three were shoplifts gone wrong where the suspects pushed an employee trying to stop them from stealing.
- Olympia police reported a large uptick in vehicle prowls or vandalisms, with 20 during the last two weeks. Seven had shattered windows, three were unsecured, seven were unknown entry, two had their locks cut and one was a license plate. Some of the property stolen included a laptop, camera supplies, multiple wallets, purses and backpacks, gaming devices, a firearm and scuba diving gear. Vehicle prowls have been trending down overall, but Olympia police said the uptick is a reminder to remove valuables from your vehicle, or if you can’t remove them, place them in the trunk before reaching your destination. Police remind community members to always secure their vehicles.
The Olympia Police Department also reminds the public to be mindful of events going on downtown next weekend as part of the Spring Arts Walk and Procession of the Species.
“Parking downtown fills quickly. Give yourself plenty of time or use an alternative form of transportation like walking, biking, or taking the bus,” the department stated. “If you drive, follow instructions from officers or volunteers at road closures and don’t drive around road closed signs.”
Check out the Procession of the Species route at https://www.artswalkoly.com/p/about/procession, and know that road closures happen a couple blocks off the route.
The Olympia Police Department posts weekly crime updates at https://tinyurl.com/2s49v9f9
The police department’s crime map, which includes serious felony crimes, vehicle prowls, thefts excluding shoplifting, and arrests beginning in Nov. 2020, can be accessed at https://tinyurl.com/stk9a64n
For a complete list of case reports, visit olympiawa.gov/p2c
