Community Police & Fire

Gig Harbor Police Blotter | Human remains found near Purdy Park and Ride

Editor’s note: The Blotter is written based on information provided by Gig Harbor Police , Gig Harbor Fire & Medic One  and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Department reported finding human remains along a creek near the Purdy Park and Ride on July 10.

A passer-by found the remains and called for law enforcement. Deputies arrived at the park and ride shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday.

A sheriff’s department social media post said the investigation is ongoing. Deputies transferred the remains to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification.

Sticker swindle

Gig Harbor Police arrested a 44-year-old Gig Harbor woman on suspicion of theft for allegedly swindling a department store in Gig Harbor North.

Police said the woman removed barcode stickers from cheaper items and applied them onto more expensive ones, thereby paying much less for the merchandise than the actual price. She paid $187 for more than $421 worth of goods on July 2.

A store security officers told police they were investigating the woman for at least 16 other incidents of the same activity. Police issued a theft citation to the woman and took her to the Kitsap County Jail.

Shoplifting and shoving

Shoplifters shoved or swung at store security guards in at least two incidents in recent weeks, with the suspects getting away in both cases. Officers determined that shoving did not quite meet the legal definition of robbery, in these cases.

The FBI defines robbery as “the taking or attempting to take anything of value … by force or threat of force or violence.”

On June 28 at Target, an unknown female suspect stole items of clothing. When a store loss prevention officer tried to stop her, she shoved the guard and left in a silver Honda. Store surveillance video did not provide identifying information.

On July 2, a 21-year-old male suspect shoved and swung at store security after shoplifting all of $26 worth of goods. The suspect left in a van, but officers managed to identify him based on the vehicle’s registration. Officers recommended charges of theft and assault, as the incident did not appear to meet the criteria for robbery.

Escape room shenanigans

The owner of an “escape room”-style business in Gig Harbor reported a possible fraud that occurred in May. She told police that someone hacked into her Google documents and stole plots and stories she planned to employ in her escape room — then attempted to sell them to her competitors.

The owner of the local business identified an acquaintance as a possible suspect, based on the fact that he previously had access to her laptop and “he is a strange person.”

She reported receiving an anonymously signed email admitting to the theft of the files. The email explained that the suspect had been unable to find a buyer. The email address began with “escaperoomlover.”

The owner of another escape room-style business in the region acknowledged receiving a message from the same “escaperoomlover” account trying to sell the files.