Suspect ransacks South Sound tattoo shop

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A South Sound tattoo parlor was forced to close its doors until further notice after someone broke into the shop.

The owners of Eclipse Custom Tattoo in Olympia said a thief stole more than $10,000 worth of tattoo equipment.

“I think I was in shock for the first day. I kind of didn’t believe it,” said tattoo artist K Smith.

Smith came to work Saturday and couldn’t believe her eyes.

“I come in here and I see all of my drawers are open. They’re gone. All of my equipment is missing -- all of my machines, as well as my black ink -- and (a) door was open,” she said.

Someone broke through the back window and began gutting the shop.

“They didn’t just take stuff, they took my livelihood away. I can’t work right now because I don’t have a power supply or machines,” said Smith.

Co-owner Brandi Potter said the robbery happened around 3 a.m. Saturday. The person stole more than $10,000 worth of equipment and $300 in cash from the register.

“They just rummaged through everything. They literally took inks. They took needles, machines, everything they could possibly, I guess, sell,” said Potter. “This guy obviously cased out the place, I think. He knew where all the cameras were and everything.”

Potter said other South Sound shops have been hit. Olympia police said they’re working with Lewis County officials to see if the robberies are connected.

“It’s a lot of anger. It’s a lot of irritation. I like to throw myself into my work when I’m upset and now I can’t do that,” said Smith.

The community is stepping in to help. While KIRO 7 was at the tattoo shop, fellow artists in the area dropped off machines and ink to help the business get back on its feet.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Eclipse Custom Tattoo rebuild.

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