Two break-ins in 14 hours -- both caught on security cams

In just 14 hours last Monday, an Olympia man was arrested for breaking into a commercial building and allegedly stealing $2,000 worth of power tools, then released, only to be arrested for committed a vehicle prowl five blocks away, with both incidents caught on surveillance cameras.

Sunday to Monday

Hakeem LeBlanc, 30, a transient, was observed on surveillance cameras at approximately 2 p.m. on Sun., May 16,  breaking into a commercial building at 518 5^th Avenue E in downtown Olympia. LeBlanc allegedly ripped off the storage building’s trim, gaining access by breaking the rear door, and stealing $2,000 worth power tools. LeBlanc can be seen several times on the surveillance video, carrying a yellow flashlight, a can of tire flat fixer, and a Volkswagen car manual, which were taken from the storage facility.

The building’s owner told officers that he had confronted LeBlanc, who admitted to breaking in. When officers contacted LeBlanc, he admitted to breaking into the storage facility just to find  a place to sleep. LeBlance held the yellow flashlight, can of tire flat fixer and the Volkswagen car manual at the time he spoke with officers.

Due to COVID-19 booking restrictions, LeBlanc could not be booked into the Thurston Jail. LeBlanc was booked into the Olympia Jail for malicious mischief third degree for the $150 worth of damage to Devlin’s building.

The booking occurred at 10:44 a.m. on May 17, 2021.

Tuesday

Olympia Police were alerted to a vehicle prowl in progress at 200 4^th Ave E in downtown at 12:57 a.m. on May 18, 2021. Officers responded to a blue Acura Integra with its passenger side window broken out and the inside dome light on.

A downtown resident captured video of LeBlanc allegedly breaking into the vehicle. The footage showed LeBlanc breaking into the Acura with an axe and was seen wearing a headlamp which he left inside the vehicle.

Olympia Police attempted to contact LeBlanc on 4^th Avenue E, but he continued to walk at a faster pace onto southbound Adams St SE.

LeBlanc acknowledged OPD presence when asked to stop, repeatedly asking “What?” while continuing to walk, ignoring the order, and then ran down the alleyway of Adams St SE westbound between 4^th Avenue and 5^th Avenue SE.

Officers managed to stop LeBlanc at the 400 block of Washington St SE, 10 blocks away from 200 4^th Avenue E.

LeBlanc aggressive threw down the shopping bag that he was carrying, balled his fists and raised his arms, placing his fists at shoulder level. LeBlanc also had a six-inch kitchen style knife with the blade facing up/out, in his front jacket pocket. The officer warned that they would use the taser on LeBlanc, which calmed him down and allowed him to be detained.

When stopped by officers, LeBlanc admitted to breaking the Acura’s window with his hand. When asked why he broke into the vehicle, LeBlanc shrugged but said that he took nothing from the vehicle.

LeBlanc was booked into the Olympia Jail for property damage, vehicle prowl and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.