A man's shopping spree at an REI store in Issaquah, Washington, took an unexpected turn when he was arrested for shoplifting. The incident unfolded on the afternoon of November 25, 2025, when officers were called to the outdoor gear retailer following a report of a shoplifting incident. The man had allegedly selected a backpack and trekking poles, valued at $574.65, and attempted to leave the store without paying. Upon arrival at the shopping center, an officer identified the suspect, who was seen hurriedly stashing the brand-new gear, complete with dangling tags, into a light blue SUV. The suspect admitted to being inside REI and confessed to not paying for the items. The officer detained him, and a glance through the SUV window confirmed the presence of the stolen backpack and trekking poles. REI staff verified the theft and provided video evidence of the suspect selecting and leaving with the merchandise without paying. This wasn't the suspect's first offense at the same REI location; he was linked to a previous theft and was booked for both incidents. Additionally, the suspect had outstanding warrants, including a bail-jumping warrant from Island County, a theft warrant from Grant County, and a criminal trespass warrant from Chelan County. The stolen items were recovered and returned to REI, and the man faced legal consequences for his unauthorized adventure.
