Police stopped a vehicle for an equipment violation on Saturday, Feb. 16, in the 2700 block of 77th Avenue S.E. Both occupants were suspects in a recent liquor theft at Albertsons.

An Albertsons employee confirmed at the scene that he recognized both occupants from a store surveillance video. One suspect then admitted stealing a bottle of Vodka and turned it over to the police officer with a second bottle of alcohol that was half full.

The suspect, a 16-year-old First Hill resident, was arrested at 1:18 a.m. for theft and minor in possession. He was released after being processed.

By the numbers

The Mercer Island Police Department reported 26 arrests in January and 932 total calls for service. Eight burglaries occurred, and there were 26 thefts (including car prowls), four identity thefts, and five assaults.

Feb. 11

Burglary: A window-mount air conditioner was stolen out of a storage locker in the basement of the victim’s Shorewood Apartments building in the 3200 block of Shorewood Drive. The theft happened sometime after Feb. 4.

Bike thefts: A Mercer Island man’s bicycle, worth $500, was stolen from the North Mercer Park and Ride between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The bike was a Diamond Back. The thief cut the bike’s cable lock, in the 8000 block of North Mercer Way.

A mountain bike worth $450 was stolen from Islander Middle School sometime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the 8200 block of S.E. 72nd Street.

Feb. 12

Motorcycle accident: In an early morning accident near the South end shopping center, a 66-year-old motorcyclist was injured in the 7100 block of 84th Avenue S.E. The motorcyclist braked, skidded and fell over at 7:46 a.m. when he thought that a vehicle was going to turn out in front of him. He sustained a left knee abrasion and received aid at the scene. The driver of the vehicle said that she had inched forward to check for traffic, and had not yet made the turn. The vehicles did not collide and police found no infractions.

Fraud: Nordstrom notified an 80-year-old Mercer Island man of fraudulent charges placed on his Visa card in Tacoma. Two purchases were made, totaling $1,608.81, and two additional charges were denied. Visa is covering the fraudulent charges and the victim has cancelled his card.

Feb. 13

Accident: An 82-year-old woman backed her vehicle, a Volvo, out of her garage in the 2900 block of 74th Avenue S.E. at 10:35 a.m. She then accelerated and drove forward into the house next door. She sustained an abrasion to her arm.

Theft: Thirteen golf clubs were stolen from a storage room in the 3200 block of West Concord Way sometime after Feb. 11. The set was worth $1,500.

Feb. 14

Tires slashed: An ex-boyfriend is suspected of slashing a woman’s vehicle tires on the night of Valentine’s Day in the 3200 block of West Concord Way. Replacing the three tires will cost an estimated $350.

Another vehicle’s tires were slashed in the same block, on the same night. The vehicle belongs to a 45-year-old man. The two tires will cost $150 to replace.

Feb. 15

Accident: It was 3:02 a.m. when a 28-year-old woman drove off the road and struck a tree in the 5200 block of East Mercer Way. Her vehicle, a Ford SUV, crossed the opposite lane and went onto the soft shoulder of the road, then hit the tree head-on. Police detected a strong odor of intoxicants, and the woman admitted consuming alcohol. She received aid at the scene and was taken to Overlake Hospital for injuries. She was processed for DUI and cited for negligent driving. According to the police report, the woman said that she did not know where she was or how she arrived there, and she did not know her speed.

Feb. 16

Disturbance: A police officer responding to a disturbance at 7 p.m. in a neighborhood east of the South Mercer Playfields had to subdue a 55-year-old mentally confused Enumclaw woman. The woman tried to “cast out the devil” when the officer arrived, according to the police report. She was involuntarily committed to Harborview hospital.

Feb. 18

Burglary: A vacant house in the 7800 block of S.E. 42nd Street was unlawfully entered sometime after Feb. 4. The trespassers, who broke through the storm door window, evidently used the house for a hangout and left a portable folding table on the property. Police took the table into evidence to be processed for fingerprints. The property owner, a First Hill resident, contacted a police officer along West Mercer Way to inform the officer of the burglary.