Business owner scares off burglar in Moses Lake
Jan Thacker, an owner of Red Door Consignment, points across the street to Miller's Fine Jewelry. It's where a break-in occurred Tuesday night.
MOSES LAKE - A armed business owner scared off a burglary suspect Tuesday night at Miller's Fine Jewelry in downtown Moses Lake.
Just after 10 p.m. Tuesday, owners of nearby Red Door Consignment heard a loud crash of glass breaking at the jewelry store. They noticed an suspect dressed in dark clothes and a stocking cap running down the alley near the store. Lisa Boorman immediately called 9-1-1.
"The man with the gun is the good guy," Boorman told dispatchers.
Kiyoji Miyamoto, owner of Tsunami Sushi next door to the jewelry store, said he heard two loud bangs while inside the restaurant. As he exited the front door, he saw the broken glass and pulled out a handgun and began yelling as he headed to the jewelry store. He said he wasn't sure if anyone was still inside. Miyamoto possesses a valid concealed pistol license.
"If we hadn't been downtown and the fellow hadn't come out with the gun, he (suspect) would've gotten everything out because there was nobody downtown," said Jan Thacker, an owner at Red Door.
The suspect, unknown at this time, used a large rock to break the glass of the front door of the jewelry store. According to police, the man was in and out within 10 seconds of breaking in. The suspect fled the scene when the audible alarm sounded. Glass and jewelry were scattered along the sidewalk and nearby alley. Security footage from inside Miller's showed the suspect breaking the glass door and apparently using his hands to break the jewelry case. The suspect stumbled as he entered the store and a trail of blood was left through the alley. Miyamoto appears shortly after.
"It was brave for him to just stand there and stand guard until the police arrived," Thacker said.
Todd Leavitt, owner of Miller's Fine Jewelry, said only low-value items were taken and did not have an estimate on the value of items missing. He said about 18 pieces of jewelry were recovered.
The owners of Red Door commended Miyamoto for his role in protecting local businesses. Miyamoto has trained local police officers in self defense in the past.
"When things settled down we declared amongst ourselves that this was another fine example that a good man with a gun holds power against crime. We applaud our hero, who unhesitatingly took action to stand up against wrongdoing and accepted responsibility to help a fellow store owner," Thacker posted on Facebook.
Thacker said someone attempted to break-in to the Red Door only days ago, but bars on the windows and doors prevented entry. The Calico Cat, also on Third Avenue, was burglarized just weeks ago.
The front door of Miller's Fine Jewelry, located on 111 W. 3rd Ave., was covered with plywood Wednesday morning and a glass jewelry case had been emptied. Leavitt said he hopes to have the door repaired Wednesday.
Become a Subscriber!
You have read all of your free articles this month. Select a plan below to start your subscription today.
Already a subscriber? Login
