Police seek bungling thief who hid in store, dropped loot
TACOMA, Wash. - Police are asking for the public's help in identifying a bungling thief who stole luggage and electronics after hiding for hours at a Target store, then dropped much of his stolen loot while fleeing the scene.
Detectives say the suspect entered the Target store at 23rd Street South and Union Avenue in Tacoma at about 8:30 p.m. on June 3 and hid behind several large boxes.
Surveillance video shows that the thief came out of hiding at about midnight, grabbed luggage from the shelves and entered the electronics department. The suspect then smashed open several display cases and loaded more than $15,000 worth of iPads and iPad accessories into the luggage.
The suspect carried the luggage through the store, smashed a glass door and exited the building. But as he was fleeing, the suspect dropped a piece of luggage stuffed with stolen items. The suspect fled on foot, heading west toward Union Avenue.
The suspect appears to be a black male, about 20 years old, with a light complexion and slender build. During the burglary he was wearing a black-and-white checkered hooded coat, light-colored pants, black shoes, white gloves and a baseball hat with a red bill.
Anyone with information is asked to call (253) 591-5959. A reward of $1,000 is being offered by Crime Stoppers of Tacoma and Pierce County for information leading to the arrest and charges filed against the person responsible in this case. All callers will remain anonymous.
Detectives say the suspect entered the Target store at 23rd Street South and Union Avenue in Tacoma at about 8:30 p.m. on June 3 and hid behind several large boxes.
Surveillance video shows that the thief came out of hiding at about midnight, grabbed luggage from the shelves and entered the electronics department. The suspect then smashed open several display cases and loaded more than $15,000 worth of iPads and iPad accessories into the luggage.
The suspect carried the luggage through the store, smashed a glass door and exited the building. But as he was fleeing, the suspect dropped a piece of luggage stuffed with stolen items. The suspect fled on foot, heading west toward Union Avenue.
The suspect appears to be a black male, about 20 years old, with a light complexion and slender build. During the burglary he was wearing a black-and-white checkered hooded coat, light-colored pants, black shoes, white gloves and a baseball hat with a red bill.
Anyone with information is asked to call (253) 591-5959. A reward of $1,000 is being offered by Crime Stoppers of Tacoma and Pierce County for information leading to the arrest and charges filed against the person responsible in this case. All callers will remain anonymous.
