Pierce County sheriff’s investigators are searching for a man who punched a clerk in the face, then stole money from the register of a Parkland convenience store last month.

Tacoma-Pierce County Crime Stoppers posted surveillance video of the robbery today on its website in hopes of identifying the suspect.

The robbery occurred about 12:55 p.m. March 28.

The man walked into the Handy Corner Grocery on 112th Street South. He hung out near the sales counter for a while.

Then, without warning, he punched the female clerk in the face. He reached over, grabbed cash from the register and …

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Puyallup resident Greg Kidwell was cross-country skiing with his girlfriend near Paradise on Monday when he spotted a helicopter flying slowly through the area. Kidwell snapped this photo not knowing exactly what was happening.

He learned later the Chinook was searching for an overdue snowshoer later found dead.

Said Kidwell: “You just should not ever go into the mountains alone.  When that happens, even a small problem can turn into an immediate and deadly emergency.  One nearby ridge may as well be miles away as far as trying to get someone’s attention or help.  Very sad case.”

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Gig Harbor police need the public’s help in finding at least two men suspected of removing the piping from the toilets at four businesses in the city over the past few weeks.

Investigators believe the suspects might be looking for the brass and copper parts within the pipes, Sgt. Kelly Busey said. They’ve been going into the public bathrooms at the businesses.

“The suspects know how to turn off the water before removing the piping that extends from the wall to the back of the toilet,” he said.

Investigators estimate the thefts have left at least $500 in damages and …

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Gig Harbor police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man who robbed a bank branch Monday afternoon.

The man walked into the Umpqua Bank, 4949 Borgen Blvd. N.W., shortly before 5 p.m. Monday. He went up to a teller and presented an envelope on which a demand note was written, police reported.

The man whispered that he was robbing the bank. He grabbed cash and left on a bicycle.

The bandit was last seen in the parking lot of a nearby Costco, where he got into a waiting, green sedan. The car sped off, police reported.

The …

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Ed Hrivnak, a firefighter with Central Pierce Fire & Rescue, took some pictures of a helicopter rescue of an injured climber on Mount Rainier this morning.

He got some great shots. Here’s a few.