05/10/2024 - OlyPD Weekly Update 4-25 to 5-8-24

Crime Map and Updates

Notable Trends

• One arson reported over the last two weeks. Someone set fires in multiple dumpsters.
• Four aggravated assaults reported with one still an open investigation, one arrest and two cases with identified suspects and charges referred to the prosecutor. In one referral, the suspect strangled the victim and punched her in the chin. In the other referral, the suspect hit the victim with a bat-like object during a disagreement. In the arrest, the suspect pointed a gun directly at the victim. Officers located and arrested the suspect on a bus. The gun ended up being a realistic BB gun.
• Seven auto thefts reported over the last two weeks with arrests in two cases. In one arrest and recovery, the vehicle was stopped by officers before the victim knew it was stolen. The suspect was prowling the victim's vehicle and found a spare key accidentally left inside so he took the whole car. In the other arrest, the victim saw his car going southbound on Capital Boulevard right after it was stolen. Tumwater Police helped locate the vehicle and the suspect was arrested. Two vehicles were Hyundais with one an attempt only. There were two other cases documented as vehicle prowls that were likely attempts to steal Hyundais with windows smashed and the steering columns damaged.
• Four license plates were stolen over the last two weeks. Quick reporting of stolen plates can lead to arrests or recoveries of stolen vehicles. Suspects put stolen plates on stolen cars or cars they don't want traced back to them while committing crimes. In one of the cases, the license plate was recovered by Lacey police on another vehicle the same day it was reported stolen.
• Seven commercial burglaries reported with one still an open investigation. There was an arrest in one after the owner saw the suspect breaking into a shed live on his security camera. Officers located the suspect and recovered brass knuckles and other tools often used in burglaries. Copper pipes were targeted in two buildings. One was interrupted by a security guard and after investigation, the suspect was identified, and charges were referred to the prosecutor for a warrant. Two cases had glass doors shattered.
• Six residential burglaries, five of which were violations of no contact orders. Two suspects had repeat violations in the two-week period. In the last case, the suspect entered the victim's home through an unsecured sliding door. The victim was home and barricaded herself in a room with her kids until officers arrived and arrested the suspect, who decided to take a shower in the basement bathroom.
• One robbery reported. Two suspects fought with employees trying to stop a shoplift, including one wrapping his arm around one victim's neck, and punching and hitting the victims. The suspects fled and other local loss prevention partners helped officers ID the suspects from previous thefts at their store.

Other Items

• This week's photo is from the Touch a Truck event two weeks ago. Thanks to all the community members who came to check out the different rigs and learn more about what different departments and agencies do.
• There were 2,011 calls for service over the last two weeks.
• Join us for the annual free community event, the Great Olympia Bike Rodeo, on June 1 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Garfield Elementary School, 325 Plymouth St NW. There will be helmet fit checks, a traffic garden and skills course for kids to practice bike safety, crafts and more. Helmets for youth in need and free lunch for kids while supplies last. Join Olympia Officers for a neighborhood bike ride at 11 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. Hope to see you there.