South Sound News

Cameras capture man steal $1,200 in designer frames

PUYALLUP, Wash. — Cameras captured a man pocketing pairs of designer frames and rushing out the front door.

East Main Vision Clinic workers said the man stole $1,200 worth of glasses and was in and out of their clinic in less than two minutes.

"He was here for literally 90 seconds, picked out the frames and walked briskly out the door. We saw him down the stairs, we saw him run around the building and back into his car and he sped away,” said Carla Zartner, East Main Vision Clinic paraoptometric assistant.

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Zartner said she and her co-workers were sitting just feet away.

"It shook us up, it was not something we anticipated. We have a door that squeaks, there's always someone sitting at the front desk. It was literally a one-in-a-million opportunity,” she said.

It didn't take long for workers to realize what happened.

“They had just filled our frame board so they noticed right away that there was space and we knew right away, boom, somebody came in, took an opportunity and they were gone,” said Zartner.

She said the suspect isn't a patient and no one in the clinic had ever seen him before.

Investigators said they've seen an uptick in eyeglass clinic crimes. They believe the man seen on surveillance video in Puyallup may be connected to other similar thefts in Pierce County.

“You think you're safe, you think you have your bases covered. We have cameras in all areas in and outside, but that doesn't keep someone from coming in,” said Zartner.

Puyallup police said the crime happened Jan. 31. The suspect is associated with a white Honda Accord.

Anyone who recognizes the suspect is asked to call 253-770-3343 or email tips@ci.puyallup.wa.us.