Woman drives scooter into store and demands alcohol, Olympia police say

A 34-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes last week after she crashed her scooter into one store and demanded alcohol, then successfully entered a second store with the same goal, according to Olympia police.

About 2:30 a.m. Aug. 13, police were dispatched to Ralph’s Thriftway after a report of the woman ramming her scooter into the store, police Lt. Paul Lower said.

Police arrived and learned that the woman had been banging on the doors, demanding to be let in because she needed vodka.

Staff explained the store was closed for the night, but she continued to beat on the door, Lower said. She then began driving the scooter into the doors of the business and damaged them before driving away, he said.

Five minutes later, police received a second report that the same woman was at Albertsons in the 3500 block of Pacific Avenue Southeast.

The store also was closed, but the woman apparently entered it while a delivery was being made, Lower said. She then drove the scooter around the store, yelling at staff to open the liquor cabinets and crashing into them. She’s also accused of throwing a bottle of wine at an employee and a police officer, he said.

The woman finally was taken into custody and was booked on suspicion of second-degree burglary, two counts of malicious mischief, third- and fourth-degree assault and driving under the influence.

The woman allegedly told police she had been drinking, Lower said.

This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 10:08 AM.