Seattle police have arrested another “High Utilizer Initiative” offender.
On Dec. 10, at about 2:15 p.m., patrol officers responded to reports of a repeat shoplifter trespassing at a pharmacy in the 500 block of 15th Avenue East. There, the manager pointed out the suspect to officers, telling them that he recognized the man for recently stealing cigarettes and punching an employee about two weeks ago.
Police detained the 39-year-old man for questioning. They determined that he previously stole merchandise from the pharmacy on Nov. 25 and assaulted an employee when they called 911. The store’s video surveillance “captured the suspect jumping over the counter and appearing to strike [the victim],” according to the police report.
Officers arrested the man for Robbery. During the arrest, the suspect fought against officers’ efforts to put him in the back of the police car, causing an SPD officer to get injured. The suspect is a previously convicted felon with two arrest warrants for Theft and Obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer.
Due to the suspect’s lack of cooperation, police requested an ambulance to take him to jail. Officers booked him into the King County Jail for Robbery and Resisting Arrest.
Incident Numbers: 2025-361543; 2025-346994
The High Utilizer Initiative was created by the Seattle City Attorney’s Office in 2022 to give special attention and accountability to the most problematic individuals committing misdemeanor crimes in Seattle. The initiative partners the City Attorney’s Office with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Seattle Police, and the King County Jail.