The Brief

Deputies arrested a 29-year-old man accused of threatening Safeway employees with a hatchet during a shoplifting call in Pierce County.

A 44-year-old man with him was released at the scene; both were issued trespass notices.

A kitten the suspect was holding ran to a deputy and was later rehomed with the suspect's consent.

PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. - Police arrested a shoplifting suspect who threatened employees with a hatchet at a Pierce County Safeway last week. A kitten he was holding ran to one of the deputies during the arrest.

According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), on Oct. 29 at around 4 p.m., deputies responded to the Safeway near 158th Street South and Pacific Avenue South for reports of two shoplifters who threatened workers.

Authorities said when

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