A man so high on cocaine and wine that he needed to be hospitalized after being arrested was chased down by customers of nearby Tougo Coffee as he made his getaway after burglarizing 18th Ave boutique Gossamer Collective. The colorful details of the bust come from Tweets reported by the Central District News blog:
mgrummer tweets that it was Gossamer Collective which lives in the spot just south of Tougo. He says that he and other Tougo customers helped apprehend the perp: “I was there this am right after it happened. Another customer followed as the guy took off w/ the goods & directed patrol officers over the phone as to the thief’s location”
Here’s what SPD had to say about the incident:
On 11/19/09 at 6:35 a.m., officers were dispatched to a Burglary alarm at a business in the 1400 block of 18th Av.
A witness reported that the alarm was sounding and someone was inside the store. The store was burglarized earlier and it was unknown if an employee was inside.
Upon officers arrival witnesses reported that a male suspect left the store via a broken window, carrying merchandise. A description of the suspect was broadcast over SPD radio and within minutes an officer located the suspect running near 15th Av and Spring St.
The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without incident. The suspect was positively identified by 2 witnesses.
The suspect was then transported to Harborview Medical Center as he was having an adverse reaction to taking too much cocaine and wine. All the stolen property was recovered.
Upon release from the hospital, the suspect will be booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Burglary.
All of our stolen property was NOT recovered, we are out at least $1,000 in valuables. There were 2 separate incidents, the 1st guy got away. Thanks to Tougo Coffee, the 2nd guy was caught (we LOVE and Thank You again Tougo and Keith!)
Also, apparently 911 was not so good about responding to the call made by Tougo and Keith (a bit slow on the uptake).
However, we are happy no one was hurt, and that our community is so supportive!