Seattle Crime Report

A woman has been arrested following an alleged attempted robbery at a local supermarket. Lavita D. Burkhart, known to authorities for previous offenses, was apprehended after a reported physical altercation with store security personnel.

Police responded to an incident at a Safeway store located on Roosevelt Way NE on April 3, 2025. The call came in around 18:09, detailing a female suspect physically fighting with security staff after being caught shoplifting.

Upon arrival, officers identified Burkhart at the scene. She was attempting to leave the premises with over $66 worth of unpaid merchandise hidden in her backpack, including various high-value cuts of meat.

Store security, who recognized Burkhart from previous incidents, confronted her as she tried to exit without paying. Burkhart resisted by physically pushing and striking one of the security personnel. Despite efforts to evade security, her backpack was confiscated, revealing the stolen items.

This incident marks at least the tenth time Burkhart has been documented stealing from Safeway stores in the area. Her actions have led to charges of Organized Retail Theft and Robbery in the Second Degree.

Burkhart reportedly admitted to stealing meats from local Safeways with the intention of reselling them. The areas she mentioned as destinations for reselling are known by police to be high-crime zones where stolen goods often change hands.

Following her arrest, Burkhart was transported and booked into King County Jail. Authorities continue to investigate the incident and evaluate the ongoing shoplifting problem affecting local businesses.

The Safeway incident is part of a larger pattern observed in the region, where the theft of easily resold items, such as meat, is often linked to organized retail theft rings. Police maintain that they are taking serious steps to disrupt these activities and hold offenders accountable.