Suspect is accused of biting employee’s arm during theft, Thurston Sheriff says

A man and woman were arrested on suspicion of multiple crimes Saturday night after trying to steal makeup from an area store, according to the Thurston County sheriff and court records.

During the incident, the woman bit a loss prevention worker, Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.

Around 11 p.m., deputies were dispatched to WinCo Foods in the 7500 block of Martin Way East after a report of a theft in progress. That store is open 24 hours.

“Two suspects assaulted loss prevention after trying to steal makeup, with one of the suspects biting an employee,” Sanders said in his post.

Thurston County Superior Court records say the loss prevention worker stopped the woman and could see she was concealing store items. He asked that they be returned.

“The female continued to try and exit the store, so the (loss prevention worker) attempted to detain the female when the female bit him on the forearm,” the court records read.

The man and woman exited the store and drove away from the scene but were pulled over in a nearby parking lot by a deputy. Deputies obtained a search warrant to check the vehicle.

The man and woman, ages 35 and 27, were ultimately booked on suspicion of second-degree robbery. The woman also was booked on suspicion of two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Assault was not listed among the charges she is facing.

This story was originally published August 26, 2025 at 10:10 AM.