Man attempts to stab store security officers while shoplifting, Tacoma police say

A 32-year-old man is accused of attempting to stab three loss-prevention officers while shoplifting at a Tacoma grocery store Thursday.

Tacoma police were dispatched just before 9 p.m. to the 700 block of South 56th Street for reports of a man attempting to stab someone with a knife.

Police learned that one of the security officers saw the man walking around the store carrying a black bag. The man went down an aisle where he grabbed some straws and a lighter before trying to go into the bathroom, according to charging documents.

The security officer believed the man was going into the bathroom to conceal the items so he could steal them, documents show. When the officer tried to go into the bathroom, the man confronted him for following him. He then allegedly pulled a knife out of the bag and said, “I’ll cut you.”

The man lunged at the security officer and tried to stab him and the officer moved away quickly. The man then damaged about 30 packs of Oreos, eight bags of Doritos and a display case. The estimated amount for the damage was $250, documents show.

Another loss-prevention officer said the man also attempted to stab him in the stomach during the confrontation. The officer also moved back so he would not be struck. A third officersaid the man allegedly tried to stab him in the stomach as well, documents show.

The man ran from the store, and police arrested him at South 59th Street and Pacific Avenue, documents show. The knife and clothes were found in the 5700 block of Fawcett Avenue.

The man allegedly told police that he did not know the person who came into the restroom was a loss-prevention officer. Police noted in the report that two of the officers in the incident were wearing unmarked uniforms.

Pierce County prosecutors charged the man with three counts of second-degree assault. He was to be arraigned at Pierce County Superior Court on Friday afternoon.