Police Blotter: Vandals Damage Old Boys and Girls Club Gym With Fire Extinguishers

Mercer Island Police are looking for new clues after vandals broke into the old Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club (MIBGC) on Sept. 17 and caused thousands of dollars in damage.

According to police, two suspects broke into the locked gym and emptied five fire extinguishers in the gym area, offices and other areas of the club. The residue from the extinguishers completely covered the gym floor.

Police say they were able to identify two footprints made by sneakers, possibly by a pair of Vans brand shoes.

MIBGC Athletic Director Becky Shaddle told police she believed the vandals entered through a front window, while police discovered a water hose tied off from the club's roof and an open roof access door as an entry or escape route.

Each of the fire extinguishers are valued at $400, according to a police report.

A staff member told police that he had chased children out of the club in the past but saw no sign of the vandals when he found the damage at 9 a.m. on Monday.

The former home of the MIBGC, located at 2825 West Mercer Way, is still used by the club and hosts several youth sports events throughout the year, such as the fall youth basketball league.

Sept. 13

Garbage Truck involved in Head-On Collision With Local Woman
An Allied Waste garbage truck crashed head-on into a Honda Civic on the 7200 block West Ridge Road at 10:29 a.m. The 24-year-old Honda driver was stopped at a stop sign when the garbage truck turned from West Mercer Way onto West Ridge Road and veered into the opposite lane. No injuries were reported.

Sept. 14

No Citation in Parking Lot Mishap at Seven Star
Witnesses reported a 78-year-old man backed his Honda Pilot into a Toyota Corolla at 6:25 p.m. in the parking lot of Seven Star Chinese Restaurant and Tony Maroni's, but no damage to either vehicle was found.

Sept. 15

Good Samaritan Turns in Sunglasses Case
A man walking on the 4000 block of Island Crest Way discovered a sunglasses case containing several items on the roadway at 2 p.m. and turned it in to police.

Sept. 16

Maltese Bank, Resident Report Identity Theft
The mother of a 27-year-old resident traveling abroad reported his identity was stolen and his information was used to obtain $400 in case on Sept. 14 from a European bank based on the island nation of Malta.

Sept. 18

Home Burglars Strike Mercer Island Estates Home
A resident of a home on the 7500 block of 85th Place reported her home was burglarized sometime between 8 a.m. and 3:35 p.m. The burglar entered the back yard and used a barbecue grill to stand on and reach the lower roof, entering the home through an open second-story bathroom window. A laptop, camera and some jewelry were taken. No fingerprints were located at the crime scene.

Sept. 20

Identity Fraud For Local Woman in $17K Student Loan Swindle
A 28-year-old resident's identity was stolen by a 52-year-old Vancouver woman on July 1 to secure a student loan for $17,839.43.

Sept. 22

Driver Without Insurance, ID Arrested
Police arrested an 18-year-old man for driving without a license after the green Mazda Protege he was driving was pulled over for a traffic stop at 4:52 p.m. The man, who didn't have an ID in his possession, claimed he was staying with friends at a home on the 7900 block of SE 34th Street and only had an International Drivers License there to identify himself. He was cited and released and the vehicle was towed and impounded.

Suicide by Overdose Thwarted by Local Firefighters
A 61-year-old resident tried to overdose on her antipsychotic medication at a home on the 8100 block of West Mercer Way at 7:07 p.m. The woman, who has several mental health issues, took approximately 75 Seroquel pills in the attempt to commit suicide. Mercer Island Fire Department EMTs treated her and she was later transported to the hospital by ambulance.

Sept. 23

Motorcycle Found on SE 40th Street
Police located an abandoned motorcycle on the 7900 block of SE 40th Street at 11:23 a.m., parked on the sidewalk and blocking access to a fire hydrant. The motorbike's ignition was punched out and was significantly damaged. The bike was impounded by Starbucks Towing.

Sept. 24

'In-a-Hurry' Driver Destroys City Street Sign
The 27-year-old driver of a Toyota Corolla who was "in a hurry" called the MIPD to report she had run over a yellow intersection caution sign on the 4400 block of Island Crest Way at around 9:30 a.m.