PUYALLUP, Wash. — The Puyallup Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect in a recent robbery at one adult store in Puyallup who is also believed to have sexually assaulted a woman at another adult store in Tacoma.
Police said the robbery occurred Friday at Lover's Package in Puyallup.
Surveillance video, embedded below, appears to show the suspect holding an employee by the neck as he walks through the store.
"The suspect is also believed to have committed a sexual assault at a store in Tacoma on March 11," Puyallup police said on Facebook.
Early Monday morning, two employees at Castle Megastore in Tacoma were attacked after closing for the night. Police say the man punched a male employee before sexually assaulting his female coworker in the parking lot.
"What it tells us is that his demeanor has changed. He's actually escalating in his violent behavior," said Loretta Cool with Tacoma police. "Because one incident happened in Puyallup and one in Tacoma, it could happen anywhere, and that's why we want people to be especially alert."
Both Tacoma and Puyallup police think the man is walking to the stores, so there's no description of a vehicle.
Both stores have now hired security guards.
Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to contact the Puyallup Police Department tip line at 253-770-3343 or email tips@ci.puyallup.wa.us and reference case number 1906702182.
***Update*** The suspect in this case was taken into custody on 3/14 in Tacoma. Thank you for your help on this case! Caught on Camera! We are asking for your help in identifying the suspect seen in this surveillance video. The suspect is wanted for Robbery at Lover’s Package in Puyallup on March 8th. The suspect is also believed to have committed a sexual assault at a store in Tacoma on March 11th. Call or email the Puyallup PD tip line at (253) 770-3343 or tips@ci.puyallup.wa.us. PPD case #1906702182
Posted by Puyallup Police Department on Tuesday, March 12, 2019
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