Kent, WA — The Kent Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) carried out an intensive week-long “Shoplift Blitz” on East Hill, targeting repeat offenders and organized retail theft groups. The coordinated operation resulted in multiple arrests, recovered stolen goods, and disrupted several ongoing criminal activities.
According to police, the CRU team worked closely with store loss-prevention employees, uniformed patrol, and the DUI/Traffic unit to identify and stop individuals suspected of theft and other offenses. While similar operations have taken place before, this was the first blitz of 2025 — and it produced significant results.
Key Incidents From the Operation
• Suspect uses child as distraction — Officers arrested a 35-year-old woman who allegedly attempted to shoplift while using her young child to distract staff. She was taken into custody and charged.
• Stolen generator recovered — A 35-year-old man tried to flee with a $349 generator before being apprehended. Police recovered the generator; the suspect was booked for theft, resisting arrest, and an existing warrant.
• Battery theft suspect caught after long run — A 35-year-old man attempted to steal multiple batteries and run from the store. He was arrested after dropping the stolen goods during the chase. He was booked on theft, obstructing, resisting arrest, and multiple warrants, including a felony warrant.
• Wanted man found with stolen items — A 27-year-old suspect tried to leave a store with concealed merchandise. He was detained and found to have warrants, including one for felony DUI.
• Fugitive located and arrested — A 25-year-old woman wanted in both King County and Pierce County was identified inside a store. She was arrested without incident.
• Repeat offenders apprehended — Two men, ages 23 and 26, were arrested for shoplifting after trying to flee. Officers discovered both had warrants, and one was booked for assault and theft.
• Harbor Freight tool theft thwarted — A 33-year-old Everett man attempted to return stolen merchandise for cash. Officers determined the products were stolen minutes earlier from another store. He was booked on theft and two felony warrants.
Ongoing Enforcement
Kent Police say these blitz operations will continue throughout the year to deter theft, support local businesses, and maintain safety in retail centers. Officials emphasized that collaboration between police, store employees, and the community was key to the operation’s success.
The department thanked its CRU officers and all partners involved for their coordinated efforts.