Security guard charged for alleged burglary, theft at Capital Mall

A security guard has been charged in connection with an alleged burglary at a retail store inside of Capital Mall in Olympia.

According to an Olympia Police Department report, Bronson Timothy K. Gouveia, 40, of Olympia, is accused of unlawfully entering the Sunglass Hut store and taking Oakley sunglasses on Sept. 17. The store is located at 625 Black Lake Blvd. SW.

The incident came to light when the store manager reported missing merchandise to law enforcement on Sept. 19. Mall security personnel later reviewed surveillance footage and identified Gouveia as the individual entering the store after hours.

Gouveia, working as a security guard at the time, was seen in the footage trying on sunglasses. He left the store with three Oakley sunglasses valued at $850.

“Gouveia opened the gate to the Sunglasses Hut, entered the store, and began trying on sunglasses. Gouveia left his own sunglasses inside the store and exited wearing stolen sunglasses,” a police detective states in the report. 

 His security uniform and distinctive tattoos on both of his arms were cited as identifying features in the footage. Investigators noted mall security staff are prohibited from entering tenant businesses without authorization. Gouveia had acknowledged this rule as part of his employment agreement. 

When officers contacted Gouveia at the mall, he was wearing the same uniform seen in the video. Police said they also located a pair of Oakley sunglasses inside his black Toyota Tacoma, which was impounded as part of the investigation. 

Gouveia was arrested and booked into Thurston County Corrections Facility. He has been charged with second-degree burglary and second-degree theft.