Woman, 72, entered kitchen and found stranger standing there, Olympia police say

A 72-year-old woman experienced a spooky moment a couple of weeks ago when she exited a room in her home, walked down a hall and encountered a stranger standing in her kitchen, according to Olympia police.

About 10:15 p.m. Sept. 27, police were dispatched to the 3800 block of Hoffman Court Southeast, near Wiggins Road. The woman told officers that after encountering the man, he turned to her and asked if she could light his cigarette, police Lt. Paul Lower said.

Lower said she was scared, so she complied with his request. She then created some distance from the man and called 911 for help.

The man overheard the call, ran out of the home, jumped over a fence and disappeared into the neighborhood, Lower said. However, the woman was able to provide a good description of the man, including the clothes he was wearing.

The result is that the 37-year-old man was taken into custody about two blocks from her home, Lower said. He was booked on suspicion of residential burglary.

Police do not know how the man entered the home, but he left through a sliding glass door, Lower said.

This story was originally published October 7, 2025 at 10:29 AM.