Puyallup, WA: Man Arrested for Robbing Signature Gatherer Outside Safeway

Political tensions boiled over into alleged criminal behavior outside a Puyallup grocery store, leading to the arrest of a local man. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a suspect was taken into custody for second-degree robbery following a confrontation with a political volunteer gathering signatures for an initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax.

Assault and Theft Captured on Video

The incident occurred on June 9, 2026, outside a local Safeway. According to law enforcement, a volunteer for "Let's Go Washington" was approached by the suspect, who allegedly became aggressive. The situation quickly escalated when the suspect reportedly used physical force to assault the signature gatherer and forcibly take the signed petition papers from her possession.

Despite the frightening encounter, the quick-thinking volunteer managed to pull out her cell phone and record parts of the altercation. Crucially, as the suspect walked away with the stolen documents, she followed him at a safe distance and successfully captured clear video of his vehicle's license plate. This vital piece of evidence gave deputies exactly what they needed to track the perpetrator down.

Arrest Made, Petitions Still Missing

Using the license plate information, Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies quickly identified the suspect. A deputy who had responded to the initial call at Safeway later drove to the suspect's residence. When the man answered the door, he was taken into custody without incident.

Because the suspect allegedly used force to take the items, the charge was elevated to robbery in the second degree, which is a felony offense. Pierce County Sheriff Keith Swank confirmed the arrest but noted that the stolen petitions have not yet been recovered, though investigators believe they know where to look. The charging decision now rests with the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

A Warning Against Intimidation

Law enforcement officials emphasized that while public spaces at retail stores are generally open for signature gathering (provided volunteers do not block access), political disagreements must never turn physical.

• If you disagree with a political campaign or a volunteer’s presence, the appropriate response is to report it to store management or simply walk away.
• Intimidating individuals or making them fear for their physical safety is a crime.
• Using force to take property—even pieces of paper—can lead to serious felony robbery charges.