Woman booked on multiple charges for alleged auto, clothing store theft

A Tacoma woman was booked on multiple charges after allegedly stealing a car from an Olympia man along with items from an Olympia clothing store.

Olympia police arrested Breann Nicole Coleman, 33, on March 7 after a reported theft at a clothing shop on Harrison Avenue. Prior to this incident, law enforcement had found probable cause for Coleman for alleged theft and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Earlier in the day, a man reported that his car, a blue Jeep Cherokee, was stolen on the 2300 block of Pacific Avenue.

The man said he exited his vehicle but left it unlocked with the key inside. He added that a woman, later identified as Coleman, was the only other person in the parking lot at the time.

Video footage showed a person approaching the vehicle, entering it, then driving it out to State Avenue, according to police.

Later in the day, a reporting party told authorities that he had recovered mail that was disposed of by a man and a woman driving a blue Jeep Cherokee. The mail thrown out by the suspect belonged to the registered owner of the vehicle.

Minutes after police responded to this call, another officer was dispatched to a Ross Dress for Less store after a reported theft by a woman later identified as Coleman.

Police said they asked the suspect to step out of her vehicle but Coleman locked the car and ran away.

Officers found Coleman hiding in the bathroom of a trailer. She was detained without incident and told authorities.

“I didn’t steal the car, Coleman told police, “I paid $500 for that car from my friend,” without providing any information about the supposed purchase.

Police released Coleman’s companion, who denied knowledge of the auto theft.

The suspect was booked at the Thurston County Jail for third-degree theft, possession of another’s identification and possession of a stolen vehicle.