Auburn Man Arrested After Violent Late-Night Break-In Attempt at Downtown Restaurant

AUBURN, WA — A commercial burglary attempt ended in injury and arrest in the early hours of May 28, 2026, after police apprehended a local man attempting to break into a downtown restaurant.

The suspect, identified as Donald R. Filback of Auburn, was arrested by the Auburn Police Department and faces multiple charges, including third-degree burglary and criminal mischief. The arrest capped a series of events that began earlier in the night at Curley's Restaurant on State Street.

Disruptive Conduct and Removal

According to police reports, officers were first dispatched to Curley's Restaurant late in the evening following complaints about Filback's disruptive behavior. Employees reported that Filback was attempting to start fights with restaurant patrons and had thrown a chair inside the establishment. Officers successfully removed Filback from the premises and issued a formal trespass warning, advising him not to return.

Approximately 90 minutes later, patrol officers in the area heard the sound of glass shattering and heavy banging coming from the closed restaurant. Upon investigation, they discovered Filback attempting to force his way into the building through a second-floor window.

Apprehension and Hospitalization

Upon spotting the approaching police officers, Filback attempted to flee the scene by climbing over a nearby metal security gate. However, the gate broke under his weight, causing him to fall approximately eight feet to the ground. Filback sustained minor injuries in the fall and was taken into custody without further resistance.

He was transported to a local hospital by emergency medical services for evaluation and treatment of his injuries. Following his release from the hospital, Filback was booked into the county jail. Investigators noted that Filback had used chairs and metal food caddies from the restaurant's outdoor seating area to smash the French doors and windows during his break-in attempt.