Pierce County deputies say a routine weeknight at a local Safeway turned terrifying after a man allegedly went aisle to aisle grabbing and sexually assaulting women, triggering a string of frantic 911 calls and a brief chase through the area.
The chaos unfolded Wednesday, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, and ended with deputies sprinting after a suspect on foot before taking him into custody. The agency publicly announced the arrest in a post on X on Friday.
What Deputies Say Happened
In its account posted to X, the Pierce County Sheriff's Office said deputies were dispatched after multiple callers reported a man "going around grabbing women and sexually assaulting them" inside the Safeway. The post states there were three victims and that deputies chased the suspect on foot before managing to detain him.
The sheriff's office publicly credited deputies for the quick arrest, according to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
Recent Trouble At Pierce County Safeways
This Safeway incident is not the only recent violent episode tied to the grocery chain in Pierce County. In mid-June, a bathroom stabbing at a University Place Safeway drew widespread attention and led to an arrest, as reported in coverage of a bathroom stabbing at University Place Safeway.
Investigation And What Comes Next
The sheriff's post did not identify the suspect or list formal charges, and it included few details about the victims' conditions. Detectives are continuing their work, and prosecutors will decide whether to file charges once that investigation is complete.
Immediate information in the social media update was limited, per the Pierce County Sheriff's Office.
How The Public Can Help
Anyone who was in the store during the incidents, or who has video or other information, is urged to contact the Pierce County Sheriff's Office or submit a tip to Crime Stoppers.
This story will be updated if county officials release additional information.
