Road rage results in assault

At 6:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, officers were dispatched to investigate an assault near the intersection at 63 Ave SW and SW Admiral Way. The victim said he merged on Interstate 5 from James St. The suspect as also merging and almost collided with him, before swerving to avoid a wreck. The suspect followed the victim and, at one point, flipped him off. Both cars stopped at a stop sign, and the suspect yelled at the victim to get out. Then, the suspect rammed his vehicle into the victim’s car. The victim hit his head but did not believe he was injured.  The victim said the suspect drove a 2004 silver Honda Civic. A witness saw everything happen. The victim’s vehicle was scratched from the impact. Officers checked the area for the suspect but were unable to find him.

Shoplifter strikes witness with car while making getaway

At 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, officers received a call about a shoplifter at a store in the 4700 block of 44 Ave SW. A witness told officers that he saw a man shoplifting in the electrical appliance aisle. The security alarms activated as the man walked out of the store. The witness then confronted him outside and demanded the suspect return whatever he tried to steal. The unpaid items included numerous dimmer switches and other electrical devices. The employees took the items, and the suspect ran out to his parked minivan. When the suspect drove away, he hit a witness, who fell on the ground. The victim’s glasses were knocked over and broken. Witnesses said the suspect’s vehicle was a dark brown van with a completely broken rear window, which was covered by a plastic bag. Officers searched the area for the vehicle but were unable to find it. 

Intoxicated man reports assault

At 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, officers received a call about a stabbing in the 4500 block of 42 Ave SW. The victim had a 2-in. laceration on his left wrist. He said that a man came up and slashed him before running away. He added that he had been in an argument with the suspect and that the stabbing happened an hour before officers arrived.  Officers found that the victim was highly intoxicated and only somewhat cooperative. They thought that he might have cut himself on purpose to get admitted to a hospital and out of the cold.  Witnesses were also intoxicated. 

Garage burglarized on Walnut Ave SW

A woman called police around 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 28 to report a burglary. She said her garage, located in the 2600 block of Walnut Ave SW, had been broken into overnight – and two bicycles, a saw, leaf blower, wheel barrow, flat screen TV, Airstream battery and red backpack with fishing gear were taken. A neighbor had alerted the woman to the burglary, letting her know that her garage door was open. The victim believes that suspects entered her backyard through an unlocked gate. Officers searched the area for the suspect and found some of the stolen items near the corner of 41 Ave SW and SW Lander St. Officers were able to find prints on the object and on the scene of the crime.