On April 30 around 12:33 p.m., a robbery occurred at Fred Meyer located at 3184 Ocean Beach Hwy. The suspect was contacted by Loss prevention employees as he was exiting the store. When the loss prevention employees identified themselves, the suspect pulled out a knife that had been concealed in the suspect's coat. The knife was described as having a blade approximately 18" long, and looking like a small Samurai sword. The suspect fled the area on foot.
On May 4, Longview Police received information that the suspect responsible for the Robbery was at a residence in the 200 block of 19th Ave, Longview. Officers surrounded the residence and took the suspect, David L. Renie (44 yoa) into custody. Renie was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail for Robbery 1st Degree and Theft 3rd Degree.
Lower Columbia Longshoremen Credit Union Robber Arrested
On March 7 around 1:11 p.m. the Lower Columbia Longshoremen Credit Union was robbed by a suspect claiming to have a bomb in his backpack. The suspect fled on foot and left in an unknown direction. The suspect was identified later that afternoon as Tracy R. Thiel (47 years old). Thiel was known to be a transient in the local area. As the investigation continued, Longview Police detectives were able to verify that Thiel had fled Longview and spent the night of the robbery in a Kalama hotel. Thiel left Kalama the following day for an uknown location. Detectives received information a couple weeks ago that Thiel had been in the Portland area. This information was confirmed and detectives checked the area where Thiel had been frequenting, but he was not located. This morning detectives received information that Thiel had checked into a hotel in the Vancouver area. Detective Dennis went to the area of the hotel and observed Thiel walking to a nearby store. Vancouver Police Department patrol officers were contacted and they assisted in the arrest of Thiel. Thiel was booked into the Clark County Jail on an arrest warrant stemming from the credit union robbery. It is unknown at this time when Thiel will be transferred to the Cowlitz County Jail.
Citizens dropped off 57 pounds of pills at the Longview Police Highlands Satellite Office on April 28 as part of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's national "drug take-back" campaign. Highlands community coach Liz Haeck and Shannon Miller from Cowlitz Substance Abuse Coalition were present and assisted the police department during the event.
Approximately 50 responsible citizens used the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and dispose of medications no longer used. This is a great way to keep unwanted prescription drugs out of the hands of drug abusers. And, by disposing of the drugs at the many local disposal bins now in Cowlitz County, we help keep the medications out of our water supply.
Current drop-off sites include:
* Longview Police Department, 1351 Hudson St., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* Kelso Police Department, 201 Pacific Ave. S., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office, 312 SW 1ST Ave., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
On April 30 around 12:33 p.m., an armed robbery occurred at Fred Meyer in Longview. The suspect pulled out a long bladed knife described as a small Samurai sword when loss prevention officers attempted to contact the suspect outside the store. The photos below are snapshots taken from the store surveillance video.
The suspect is described as a white male in his thirties, approximately 5'07", pock marked face, dark hair with a goatee and mustache. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black leather coat, black t-shirt, and black or blue jeans.
People with information about the robbery or possible suspect information can call Det. Dennis or Sgt. Reeves at the Longview Police Department 360-442-5800.
Date: April 30, 2012
Contact: Detective Sgt. John Reeves
Phone: 306-442-5800
For Immediate Release
Fred Meyer Robbery
Today around 12:33 p.m., a robbery occurred at Fred Meyer located at 3184 Ocean Beach Hwy. Loss prevention officers contacted the suspect as he left the store carrying a box of boots and some alcohol that did not appear to have been paid for. When the loss prevention officers identified themselves, the suspect pulled out a knife that had been concealed in the suspect's coat. The knife was described as having a blade approximately 18" long, and looking like a small Samurai sword. The loss prevention officers backed away as the suspect turned and ran toward Ocean Beach Hwy. The suspect was last seen cutting through an apartment complex in the 3000 block of Maryland St.
The suspect is described as a white male in his thirties, approximately 5'07", very skinny, dark hair with a goatee and mustache. He was last seen wearing a black baseball cap, black leather coat, black t-shirt, and black or blue jeans. The identity of the suspect is unknown at this time.
Surveillance video from Fred Meyer is being reviewed to see if the suspect can be identified.
People with information about the robbery or possible suspect information can call the Longview Police Department at 360-442-5800.
