A gas leak has prompted a mandatory evacuation within 300 feet of 1800 Academy Street. The affected area is between Lewis and Valley. Avoid the area immediately.

This morning, detectives from the Sumner Police Department Investigations Unit, working alongside the Washington State Patrol Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, served a search warrant at a residence in Marysville and arrested the suspect on a Pierce County Superior Court warrant. The suspect was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Pierce County Jail. The suspect faces charges of Rape in the Second Degree, Rape of a Child in the Third Degree, and Communication with a Minor for Immoral Purposes. The investigation alleges that the suspect used Snapchat to contact a 15-year-old girl before forcibly sexually assaulting her at her home in Sumner.

Investigations involving crimes against children often require specialized expertise, advanced digital investigative techniques, and close coordination between multiple agencies. This case highlights the importance of strong partnerships in identifying suspects, gathering evidence, and ensuring offenders are held accountable.

“No single agency has all of the resources or expertise needed to investigate every complex case involving the exploitation of children,” said Sumner Police Chief Andy McCurdy. “This arrest is the result of outstanding collaboration between our detectives and our partners at the Washington State Patrol Missing and Exploited Children Task Force, the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Children’s Advocacy Center. Together, we were able to leverage each agency’s unique strengths to build a strong case while ensuring the victim received the care and support they deserve. These partnerships provide critical resources for our community and demonstrate our shared commitment to protecting children and pursuing justice.”

The Sumner Police Department remains committed to protecting children, supporting victims of sexual violence, and working with our local, regional, and state partners to thoroughly investigate crimes against vulnerable members of our community. If you or someone you know may be the victim of sexual violence in Pierce County, we encourage you to contact the Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center helpline at 1(800)757-7273.

As this case is now before the court, no additional details will be released at this time.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ckkyk13C4Po

Looking to add a furry family member? Check out all the cute adoptable pets at Metro Animal Shelter!

Coffee with Carla Returns July 24

Have a question about the City of Sumner? Curious about the latest community news or upcoming projects?

Join Mayor Carla Bowman for Coffee with Carla on Friday, July 24, at noon at Van Lierop Garden Market, located at 1020 Ryan Avenue.

This is the final Coffee with Carla date of the summer, so stop by for a casual conversation, ask questions, and connect with the mayor over coffee.

Date: Friday, July 24
Time: Noon
Location: Van Lierop Garden Market, 1020 Ryan Avenue

On Tuesday night, Chief McCurdy, Sergeant Boone, and Officers Miller and Patten attended a neighborhood BBQ and Block Watch meeting in the Katie Lane neighborhood. The event organizer sent the following message thanking all for their participation:

“Success! Despite the heat-57 attended with smiles, good food and an active sense of community. Many neighbors commented how they appreciated the Chief’s informal informative presentation. We loved seeing Sumner’s officers and hearing things from your perspective. Well done.”

Thank you to the Katie Lane neighborhood for organizing such a great event!

📣 Sumner, we want to hear from you!

What’s going well in our community? What needs more attention? Which projects and priorities should help guide Sumner over the next few years? 🏡🌳🚧

Whether you live in Sumner, work here, or simply enjoy visiting, your perspective matters. Take a few minutes to share your honest feedback through the City’s community survey.

🔒 Responses are completely confidential
💬 Everyone is invited to participate
📊 Feedback will help the City understand community priorities

Help shape what comes next for Sumner! 💙

👉 Take the survey now at sumnerwa.gov/survey (link also in bio)

#SumnerWA #CityOfSumner #CommunitySurvey #YourVoiceMatters #ShapeSumner #CommunityInput #LocalGovernment