A Kent Police officer broke up a gathering of about 20 to 30 vehicles whose drivers showed up in the North Kent industrial area for illegal street racing.
The officer arrested one man during the 3 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 incident for investigation of reckless driving after he reportedly raced another car at speeds of up to 70 mph in the 19000 block of 62nd Avenue South, according to the police report.
Police responded to a 911 call to report racers gathered in a parking lot. The officer noted that the area has a long, documented history of street racing, including numerous arrests, pursuits and collisions.
The officer saw about 20 to 30 vehicles parked or driving when he approached the area. He said he heard shouts of “Cops” as people ran to their parked cars to flee. He saw a 1997 Volkswagen Golf and a late 1990s Honda lined up to race in the 19400 block of 62nd Avenue South. Both cars sped along the street at speeds of up to 60-70 mph.
With his overhead lights activated, the officer pulled over the VW, which he noted drove the most reckless because it was in the wrong lane of travel.
The driver told police he had just bought the car and this marked the first time he had raced. He said he had watched races in the area in the past. The driver estimated his speed at 50 mph.
Resisting
Officers arrested a woman for investigation of resisting arrest after she allegedly refused to hand over her license, registration and insurance during a traffic stop Sept. 21 in the 11500 block of Southeast 223rd Street.
Two officers ended up removing the woman from the vehicle after she refused to exit, according to the police report.
An officer spotted a vehicle going 37 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to the radar, and pulled the car over. When the officer went to the driver’s window, the woman said she wasn’t speeding and refused to hand over her license until the officer showed her the radar gun reading.
The woman called 911 as she sat in the car and told the operator the officer wouldn’t show her the radar unit. The officer explained to the woman if she refused to hand over her license or exit the vehicle, she would be arrested.
When the woman didn’t get out, one officer grabbed her forearm and another officer assisted with getting her out of the vehicle. The officers then handcuffed her outside the vehicle.
The woman also had two children in the car with her. Police released the children to a family friend.
Assault
Police arrested a woman for investigation of fourth-degree assault after she reportedly punched a store security officer who tried to stop her from selling Seattle Mariners tickets on store property.
The incident occurred at about 7:15 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fred Meyer, 25250 Pacific Highway S., according to the police report.
A loss prevention officer told police that the woman hit him in the face with either an open hand or fist as he tried to call 911, causing him to drop the phone. Security had asked the woman to leave the store earlier when she tried to sell tickets inside because soliciting isn’t allowed in the store. She then moved outside the store and again tried to sell the tickets.
The woman fled the scene but police found her at the nearby Wendy’s restaurant. She denied she had punched the man but admitted she tried to grab his phone.
Police banned the woman and a male friend from the store for 25 years at the store’s request. If they return to the store, they can be arrested for trespassing.
Illegal camping
Officers cited a homeless man for illegal camping Sept. 22 in the 200 block of Naden Avenue South.
An officer had initially discovered a homeless camp on Aug. 28 and asked the man to remove his mattresses, blankets, food and trash from the city property near a group of trees, according to the police report.
The officer told the man it was illegal to camp in the city and gave him 24 hours to leave the site and clean up the site, which the man agreed to. The officer saw at later dates that the site had yet to be cleaned up. The officer cited the man for illegal camping and banned him from city parks and the library.
The man told police he thought someone else would clean up the site. The officer put in a request to the city jail cleanup crew to remove the mattresses and trash from the site.
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