Seattle Crime Report

A woman identified as Natalie Villagomez was arrested following an incident involving pepper spray at a local Goodwill store on the afternoon of April 3, 2025. Police were called to the store after reports of a shoplifting attempt turned violent, involving a conflict between Villagomez and the store’s security personnel.

According to the report, Villagomez was shopping at the store when she reportedly found a pair of pants she believed were stained. Unsatisfied with the store's response to her complaint, Villagomez attempted to remove the pants from the store, intending to dispose of them. This action led to a confrontation with loss prevention staff employed by Surety Security.

Upon leaving the premises, she was followed by security guards Tibebu Tadese and Jama Ali. In reaction, Villagomez used pepper spray on the security personnel, claiming she felt threatened and overwhelmed. Surveillance footage corroborates this account, showing her deploying the spray and wrestling with security staff.

The incident resulted in Villagomez being arrested and charged with three counts of Assault 4. During the incident, she reportedly bit one of the staff members while they attempted to restrain her. Despite the aggressive altercation, police concluded that Villagomez's actions were not financially motivated but driven by a sense of doing the right thing.

Following her arrest, Villagomez stated that she has autism and that the situation, which she described as resembling a threatening 'Pack of Dogs,' triggered her actions. Due to the circumstances, officers have suggested that the matter could be more suitably handled in Mental Health Court.