Tukwila, WA — Two people were taken into custody following a pair of shoplifting incidents that unfolded almost simultaneously at businesses along the 17300 block of Southcenter Parkway, according to the Tukwila Police Department.
Police said Officer Mosley and Officer Yaranon were originally dispatched to a report of a shoplifting suspect who had fled on foot. As officers arrived, the suspect unexpectedly exited a nearby business holding stolen merchandise and attempted to avoid arrest by running back into the store to return the items.
Despite the attempt to negate the theft, officers took the suspect into custody. The police department compared the move to “trying to back up through a red light,” stating the suspect was arrested and booked into jail.
While officers were handling that situation, police say a second suspect, a woman at a nearby store, attempted to steal a full shopping cart of merchandise and pushed it out of the store. Her timing proved poor, as officers were already on scene. She attempted to flee and hide in the backseat of a vehicle but was located, detained without incident, and booked into jail.
No injuries were reported during either arrest. The incidents remain under investigation.