Police Blotter: Champagne Thief Strikes Again at South-end QFC

Mercer Island Police are investigating a total of 19 bottles of Champagne stolen from the wine aisle of the after the latest theft was reported on April 26.

Police believe the suspect — described as black woman, 5 foot 6 to 5 foot 8 in height, 160-180 pounds —  first struck on the morning of April 16, as a store surveillance video indicated she removed 13 bottles of Moet Chandon and Veuve Clicquot Champagne at around 7:30 a.m. On April 24, the same woman returned at 7:30 a.m. and took an additional 6 bottles of the same brands, valued at $377.94.

Champagne was also stolen by two men from the store in January, according to police.

April 26

Jilted Ex-boyfriend Punches Teen in Face
An early-morning assault between an ex-boyfriend of a 19-year-old woman and her current boyfriend reportedly occurred at a residence on the 8300 block of SE 34th Street at 2:30 a.m. The ex-boyfriend, a 21-year-old resident, allegedly punched the 19-year-old man in the face at the woman's home. Police took photos of the man's injuries as evidence.

April 25

Locked Bicycle Stolen From QFC Bike Rack
A resident of a home on the 4100 block of 87th Avenue SE discovered his black Trek/20 7.2 FX Bicycle, valued at over $850, was stolen from the bike rack located near the . He said thieves had cut off a lock securing the bicycle and discarded the saddle bags attached to the bicycle frame. He said the theft occurred sometime between 6:30 am. and 3 p.m. that day.

Elder Bellevue Driver Crushes Address Sign With Car
A 75-year-old Bellevue man attempting to back out of a private driveway on the 3900 block of 96th Avenue SE in his vehicle accidentally ran over the embankment and crushed a yard ornament at 11 p.m. The property owner said he would work with the driver to replace the damaged property.

April 24

Elder Resident Victim of Identity Fraud
A 71-year-old resident of a home on the 4200 block of Holly Lane reported two unauthorized charges were made on his Mastercard over the past month.

Woman Claims Daughter Swiped $3,400 in Jewelry
A 62-year-old resident of an apartment on the 3600 block of 93rd Avenue SE reported several pieces of jewelry were stolen while she was away for the weekend, April 20-23. Among the missing items were earrings, a jade necklace, a pearl choker, a ruby and gold necklace and a diamond brooch, with a total value of $3,415. She said her 32-year-old daughter, believed to be located in Houston, TX, was a likely suspect since she had access to the home.

April 23

Daylight Burglary of Laptop Computer From Fitness Business
A laptop and a fitness training video inside were reportedly stolen in a daylight burglary from a business on the 3000 block of 78th Avenue SE. Witnesses report a red Toyota Tacoma truck was involved in the burglary, but there were no witnesses to the actual theft. The laptop and its contents are valued at $1,035.

April 22

$3,600 in Camera Equipment Stolen from Truck at Lid Park
A resident attending a little league baseball game at on April 22 reported his Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was broken into while it was parked on the 2200 block of 72nd Avenue SE. Thieves made off with his camera and a bag of camera equipment. The man, 43, said he likely left the truck unlocked.

April 16

Abandoned Vehicle Towed in Mercerdale
Police towed a older-model Ford Taurus parked on the street on the 3400 block of 77th Place SE on April 16. The Seattle owner was notified of the vehicle impound.

April 15

Marine Patrol Arrests Wanted Boater
Mercer Island Marine Patrol officers arrested a 42-year-old Renton man on April 15 on two outstanding misdemeanor warrants as he piloted his motorboat on Lake Washington. Police ordered the boat impounded at the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park marina in Renton and transferred custody to Kirkland Police.

April 14

Resident Claims Missing Tax Return Leads to ID Theft
Police responded to a home on the 7000 block of 80th Avenue SE on April 14 after a resident reported his identity had been stolen. The man reported his tax return stolen from his mailbox earlier this month and received a notice in the mail denying an application for a credit card that he didn't make.

April 13

Phone Company Employee Damages Yard Landscaping
An AT&T employee testing the signal strength of cell phone towers on April 4 along the 2400 block of West Mercer Way tried to perform a u-turn into the driveway of a home and high-centered his van. After his vehicle was towed out of the driveway, the homeowner reported over $1,000 in damage to yard landscaping there on April 13.

April 11

Overnight Hit-and-Run on West Mercer Way
A Honda Civic parked on the northbound shoulder facing southbound on the 8400 block of West Mercer Way was found damaged in an overnight hit-and-run on April 11. An unknown vehicle stuck the car head-on, then left the scene without leaving contact information behind.