Auburn police are asking the public's help in identifying a man wanted on suspicion of robbing a pharmacy last month.

The police department and Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound are offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest in the heist.

The robbery occurred May 20 about 8:45 p.m. at the Walgreens Pharmacy, 1701 Auburn Way S., in Auburn.

The suspect walked in through the store's front doors, jumped over the pharmacy counter and demanded controlled substances, police reported. After getting prescription medicines, the robber ran out the rear emergency exit.

The suspect is described as white, 25 to 35 years old and 6 feet 1 with a medium build. During the robbery, he wore a baseball cap, sunglasses, blue jeans, white running shoes and a blue sweatshirt with the word "Hollister" across the chest.

Auburn police released a surveillance image of the suspect today in hopes of identifying him.

Purdue Pharma L.P., a pharmaceutical company that operates RxPATROL®, put up the money for the cash reward, according to Auburn police. RxPATROL® is an effort among pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies and law enforcement agencies to collect, analyze and get out information on pharmacy theft.

Anyone with information about the robber is asked to call the Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound hotline at (800)222-TIPS (8477).

DuPont police are searching for the vandals who went joy riding on The Home Course golf course, causing more than $8,000 damage.

Now, Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward to help solve the caper.

The golf course is on Hoffman Hill Boulevard in the City of DuPont.

Between the night of May 16 and Wednesday night, vandals went onto the golf course and took several golf carts joy riding. They damaged or destroyed several trees, putting greens and benches. They also crashed the golf carts, damaging them as well.

Investigators have estimated the vandals caused more than $8,000 damage.

DuPont police want to talk to anyone with information about who might be responsible. Anyone who saw suspicious activity on the golf course is also asked to call.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests and charges filed in the case. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Call Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

VIDEO: Clerk fights back

Tacoma police are looking for help in identifying the man who tried to rob an East Side gas station early Tuesday while wielding a large stick.

Detectives released surveillance images and a description of the would-be robber today in hopes that someone recognizes the man. They are investigating the man on suspicion of aggravated assault and robbery.

Tacoma police have said the man entered the Chevron gas station at East 72nd Street and McKinley Avenue just before 2:40 a.m. Tuesday. He had a stick spiked with nails, police spokesman Mark Fulghum said.

The man demanded money from clerk and swung the stick. The clerk was hit in the hand, Fulghum said.

The clerk responded by punching the suspect in the face. The would-be robber dropped his stick and fled the store with a bloody nose, Fulghum said.

A police dog responded to the scene but was not able to find the suspect.

The attacker is described as white, late 30s to early 40s, 5 feet 10 to 6 feet tall and 215 to 220 pounds. He had dark-colored hair and no facial hair. He wore a button-up shirt, shorts, light-colored socks and tennis shoes during the robbery.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the man's arrest and charges filed in the attack. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

Pierce County sheriff's detectives need the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a Spanaway gas station early Tuesday while armed with a gun. Surveillance video captured the holdup.

The man entered the station in the 15900 block of Pacific Avenue South about 3:50 a.m. Tuesday. He asked for cigarettes, then displayed a gun he'd concealed in his jacket and demanded cash, deputies reported.

The man threatened to shoot the clerk. He took the cash and left.

The robber was described as white, in his 40s and 5 feet 9 with a medium build. He has graying hair and a mustache. He wore a baseball hat, blue puffy jacket, gray shirt and blue jeans during the heist.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and charges filed in the case. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

Pierce County law enforcement investigators are trying to identify a man believed to have made bomb threats while robbing two pharmacies in recent days.

They released surveillance images of the suspect today in hopes someone recognizes him and calls authorities.

The first incident was April 13 at Kirk's Pharmacy 11212 Sunrise Blvd. E., on South Hill. The man entered the pharmacy about 11:30 a.m. He carried a bag and handed the pharmacist a note that said the bag contained dynamite. He demanded Oxycontin and then left with the drugs. He left the bag behind.

The bag prompted an evacuation of parts of the medical campus where the pharmacy is located. The Pierce County Sheriff's Department's bomb squad responded and detonated the bag. They discovered the "dynamite" was really road flares held together with tape and a cell phone.

The second incident was Monday at 1:15 p.m. Investigators believe the same man entered the Medicine Shoppe on East Main Avenue in the City of Puyallup. He

The man again carried a bag with what appeared to be explosives and handed an employee a note saying he had explosives, police reported.

The pharmacy didn't have any Oxycontin. The would-be robber took the bag and left, police reported.

Witnesses have described the robber as white, about 25 years old and 5 feet 10 with a medium build.

During the second robbery, he wore a fake beard and mustache, sunglasses, green jacket and beret.

Anyone with information is asked to call Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959. The non-profit organization is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the man's arrest and charges filed in the case.

Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Puget Sound-area law enforcement officers need the public's help in finding two men believed to be responsible for 11 takeover-style robberies in five counties over the past year.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers released information about the serial robbers, surveillance images and a composite sketch of one suspect today.

The two have targeted auto parts stores and restaurants in Pierce, Thurston, King, Kitsap and Mason counties. The spree began in April 2008.

The most recent robbery was Monday night. Investigators say the men robbed AutoZone, 413 Meridian Ave. E., in Edgewood just before 9 p.m. They displayed guns and demanded cash from the registers and safe, deputies reported.

The robbers tied up the auto store's employees, then took cash and merchandise from the store. They fled.

Witnesses described the both men as black, heavy set and in their 20s.

In addition to Monday's robbery, investigators also suspect the two are responsible for the following robberies:

* April 16, 2008 at a Dollar Store in Silverdale.

* July 29, 2008, at AutoZone, 3801 Sixth Ave., Tacoma.

* Sept. 22, 2008, at Great Clips in Port Orchard.

* Sept. 27,2008, at Auto Zone in Bremerton.

* Nov. 14, 2008, at Oh! Gallager’s Pub, 7304 Lakewood Drive W., in Lakewood.

* Dec. 11, 2008, at Arco AM/PM in Fife.

* Dec. 13, 2008, at AutoZone, 8308 Berkeley St. S.W., Lakewood.

* Jan. 30 at Subway in Olympia.

* Feb. 28 at Schuck's Auto Supply in Kent.

* March 19 at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Shelton.

The Nov. 14 takeover robbery at Oh! Gallagher's Sports Pub in Lakewood made news at the time. The men wore ski masks and ordered the patrons to a wall. One of the robber searched the patrons for their belongings as the other pointed his weapon at the bartender's head and demanded she empty the cash register.

As the gunmen left, another group of patrons enter the bar and a fight broke out. One of the robbers shot one of the patrons. The bullet grazed the victim's face.

The men have been captured on security cameras during some of the robberies but their faces are often obscured.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to arrests and charges filed in the cases. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.

Lakewood police are searching for two men suspected of beating up and holding a woman hostage for 13 hours last month in a domestic violence-related attack.

Prosecutors have charged Cortlandt Young, 26, and Devan Hopson, 21, in connection with the assault and kidnapping. Young (left) has been charged with first-degree kidnapping and two counts of second-degree assault. Hopson (right) has been charged with three counts of second-degree assault.

Warrants have been issued for their arrest.

According to Lakewood police, Young is suspected of assaulting his ex-girlfriend the night of March 6. During the attack, he threatened to shoot up her house, police reported.

Young left but returned an hour later. He allegedly pointed a gun at the woman and pulled her into a car driven by Hopson, police reported.

"Inside the car, Young hit the victim with his fists and the gun, and choked the victim," police reported.

The men took the woman to Young's apartment and held her at gunpoint for 13 hours. The victim was able to escape when Young fell asleep, police reported.

Hopson then allegedly returned to the woman's house, looking for her. He had a gun and pointed it at the woman's family before leaving in a car driven by Young, police reported.

Young is 6 feet 1 and 175 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Hopson is 6 feet and weighs 170 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Tacoma police have released surveillance images of a man suspected of robbing a Hilltop bank branch on Tuesday.

The images were released today. In addition, Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers announced it is offering a reward to get the bandit into custody.

The robber entered Key Bank, 1120 S. 11th St., about 11:25 a.m. Tuesday. He approached the counter and showed the teller a note that demanded cash, police reported.

He placed his finger on his lips in a shushing gesture. The robber put an undisclosed amount of cash into his pockets and ran. He was last seen heading northbound, heading across the street, police reported.

Moments later, a newer black Dodge Durango was seen driving away from the area. It's not known if the vehicle is related but it was described as suspicious, police reported.

The robber is described as black, 5 feet 10 and 160 pounds. He had black hair, brown eyes and sported a goatee. During the robbery, he wore a white hooded jacket with black across the shoulders, dark blue jeans and a black baseball hat with white writing.

Officers and detectives responded to the area but the robber was not located.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the robber's arrest and charges filed in the case. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959. Tipsters also can submit anonymous information to the Tacoma Police Department here.

Tacoma police have released a surveillance photo of a man and his getaway car that are connected to an armed robbery at a South Tacoma coffee stand earlier this week.

Pierce County investigators suspect the same man is responsible for holding up nine drive-thru espresso stands in unincorporated Pierce County since Jan. 8, Tacoma police detective Gretchen Aguirre said. The man's description and how he goes about the robberies is the same in all 10 armed robberies.

The suspected robber was captured on security cameras at the Fox Hollow Coffee stand right before it was robbed Monday.

The man wore a red scarf over his face and wielded a black handgun when he robbed stand at 4024 S. 56th St. just after 8 a.m., Tacoma police reported. He left with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Witnesses described the robber as white, in his 30s and 6 feet tall with a medium build. Besides the red scarf, the man wore a black-and-red hat and black jacket, police said.

Police believe he's driving a silver 2000 or 2001 Chrysler 300.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the robber's capture and charges filed in the robberies. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959. You can also submit a confidential tip to Tacoma Police Department here.

This comes from our sister paper, The Olympian:

The Washington State Patrol is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the theft of police gear from a patrol vehicle, according to an announcement today.

Stolen items include an automatic rifle and night vision goggles.

The theft occurred on the Capitol Campus near the Governor’s Mansion between 2:30 p.m. and midnight Friday.

The equipment, which included SWAT items, was properly secured in the vehicle’s trunk, according to patrol spokeswoman Brandy Kessler. The trunk was not damaged in the theft, she said.

Video surveillance and fingerprint evidence is being analyzed, Kessler said.

The rifle is a Colt M4 5.56 caliber. Also stolen were a .40 caliber H&K handgun, flash-bang grenades, and a ballistic vest with “Police” and “SWAT” on it.

Kessler said that officers who are not part of SWAT teams do not carry those weapons and equipment in their patrol car trunks.

The suspect faces felony charges for theft of state equipment, Kessler said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Julie Gundermann at 360-586-1999 or 253-536-6210.

Tacoma police investigators need the public's help to identify a man suspected in several thefts and trespassing incidents in the downtown area.

The man was spotted trespassing in the Rainier Pacific Bank building at South 15th Street and Pacific Avenue on Feb. 20. Detectives suspect that while inside, the man stole a laptop computer from a desk in an office on the fifth floor, police reported.

The same man is suspected in a handful of other similar trespass and theft incidents in the area.

"Investigators believe this suspect may have also stolen business cards from Raymond James Investments," Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers reports. "When confronted for trespassing, the suspect has tried to pass himself off as an employee of Raymond James, has also asked for people who are not known to the offices or has claimed that he has been hired to perform maintenance on the office area."

Crime Stoppers released a surveillance image of the suspect today. He's described as black, about 30 years old and 6 feet tall with a medium build. He has black hair and a thin mustache.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest and charges filed in the case. Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959. Tipsters may remain anonymous.

Anonymous tips also can be submitted directly to the Tacoma Police Department here.

UPDATE: Pierce County sheriff's deputies believe they have identified the suspect. No arrests have been reported.

How many times have I written this story: A man stealing security cameras got caught on tape during the heist.

The cameras captured the man's face as he worked to remove the cameras.

The most recent example of security camera theft occurred last month at the Canyon Grocery and Deli at 84th Street East and Canyon Road East.

The same man is suspected of stealing the cameras between 3 and 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 and early Saturday. In both cases, the thief drove up to the store in a white van and climbed on the van or an ice machine to get to the store's surveillance camera.

"The suspect uses hand tools to cut the camera wires and pries the cameras off the building," Crime Stoppers reported.

The suspect is described as a white man in his 30s with a slender build and short, brown hair. He has a brown mustache and beard. He's worn a red-and-black jacket and blue jeans during both thefts.

Pierce County sheriff's deputies released the surveillance images of the suspected thief Monday. They also released the surveillance footage. To sweeten the pot, Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers is offering up to $1,000 for information leading to the thief's arrest and charges filed against him.

Tipsters may remain anonymous. Reach Crime Stoppers at 253-591-5959.