Transient woman jailed after allegedly smashing glass door of downtown businesses

An Olympia Police officer on foot patrol encountered a woman who “appeared to be under the influence of some kind of substance” reaching into the broken front door glass of a downtown business on Sunday morning.

The officer observed her from “approximately one-half block west of the address on 4th Ave” and noticed that her “ability … was greatly diminished.” He called for assistance and waited until another officer arrived to advise her that she was under arrest. She did not resist and was taken into custody.

Lorraine Little, 33, allegedly broke the front window of Noping: The Shop, which is co-located with Dumpster Values at 302 4^th Ave. on May 2 at approximately 8:35 a.m.  She pushed herself into the broken laminated safety glass of the front door and removed various items, including merchandise and a mannequin. An eyewitness who called 911 saw Little with half of her body into the store.

The police reported that Little was unable to stand up straight or walk without stumbling. In the back seat of the patrol car, Little swayed back and forth, left to right without focusing. She stated to officers that she removed the mannequin from inside the store because she believed it was a person that needed saving.

Police searched Little during her booking into Nisqually Jail for burglary and theft. Officers discovered several pieces of clothing worn by Little which had Dumpster Values’ price tags still on them, leading them to believe that she had entered the business unlawfully, with the intent to take several items.

The conjoined businesses had three windows destroyed in the past week. Last Thursday, April 29, a construction project was operating machinery that threw a projectile into a front window, shattering it.  This Monday evening or Tuesday morning a rock was thrown through the over-the-door window at the entrance to Noping: The Shop.