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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Suspected beer thieves shot by police in Olympia

OLYMPIA — Police in the capital of Washington state say an officer shot two men in their 20s suspected of trying to steal beer from a grocery store.

Olympia Police Chief Ronnie Roberts said at an early Thursday news conference that both men were shot in the chest and taken to the hospital. He says one man is in stable condition and one is in critical condition.

Roberts says police responded around 1 a.m. to a call from a Safeway, where employees said two men tried to steal beer and then threw the alcohol at workers when confronted and ran away.

An officer spotted the suspects nearby, then reported the shooting soon after. Roberts didn't say what happened or whether the men were armed.

The officer is on administrative leave pending an investigation.



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