From our sister site ILoveKent.net:

A Kent Police shoplifting emphasis at a business on the city’s East Hill last week led to seven arrests and the recovery of hundreds of dollars in stolen merchandise, including one suspect who tried to hide meat in his pants, the department announced.

Kent Police said the operation was organized by the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU)with assistance from patrol officers and the store’s loss prevention team.

The shoplift emphasis patrol resulted in eight misdemeanor charges, six misdemeanor warrant arrests and one felony warrant arrest.

“One adult man from Kent, age 58, was arrested after secreting expensive packs of meat in his pants and leaving the store,” police said. “In addition to the meat theft, he had a robbery 2 warrant out of Seattle.”

A Tacoma couple, ages 35 and 32, allegedly attempted to leave the store with a cart of unpaid items after scanning just one item at self-checkout. Both were arrested, and police said the man had misdemeanor warrants for disorderly conduct and possession of a controlled substance.

Another suspect, a 22-year-old man from Milton, allegedly re-entered the store after a small purchase and left with several unpaid items. Police said he had an active Kent warrant and three misdemeanor warrants out of Burien, including one for DUI.

A 33-year-old woman also attempted the self-checkout method, police said. She had a Kent warrant for vehicle trespass and was found with fentanyl in her purse.

“We appreciate the partnerships with the local loss prevention teams who are working diligently to protect Kent stores from theft,” police said. “Great job by CRU in coordinating what we are hoping is a message to other would-be thieves to crime elsewhere. We know you want to know if we plan to do more emphases.”