Tacoma’s Antique Row shaken after more than 50 windows destroyed in vandalism spree
When Anh Le arrived at Cremello Cafe on Saturday morning to run his business, he was met by police officers and seven broken windows. About 16 businesses on Antique Row in downtown Tacoma were vandalized after someone smashed in about 56 windows with a hammer.
Tacoma police were dispatched at 3:05 a.m. to reports of a vandalism in progress on Broadway. Police arrested a 47-year-old woman who was seen entering and leaving the Winthrop Apartments on Commerce Street and Broadway. She resisted arrest, but officers took her into custody, according to a Tacoma Police Department news release.
The woman was charged with first-degree malicious mischief, court records show. She was to be arraigned Monday at Pierce County Superior Court.
The woman allegedly told police she smashed the windows because she wanted the government’s attention. She said there were two men who were stalking her mind and infiltrating her technology, charging documents show. Police also located the hammer allegedly used in the crime and took it in for evidence.
Several businesses now have boards where windows used to be. Le told the News Tribune that it would cost around $15,000 to $20,000 for his cafe to replace the windows. The business has not determined how it will get the money but hopes the City of Tacoma will help.
City Council member Sarah Rumbaugh issued a statement Monday.
“Widespread property damage like this is tremendously difficult on districts struggling since the pandemic. The Theater District is a gem. We need to find solutions to preserve cultural and business spaces like this that make Tacoma the beautiful city it is,” Rumbaugh said. “I am elevating all the concerns I heard to the City Manager, and have begun discussions about how the City can partner on long-term solutions.”
Le said that everyone affected by the vandalism is shaken and also is trying to determine how to deal with the financial loss.
“Some of us will have to pay more. Some of us had coverage under the building insurance. We all feel sadness in the neighborhood,” he said.
Cremello Cafe started in April 2023 and is run by Le and his partner, Rebecca Fintak. Le said he loves the neighborhood and that this incident will effect its “aesthetic.” It was the second time some of the cafe’s windows were smashed. After the first incident, they paid the damage out of their own pockets, Le said.
In order to make the best out of the situation, Le decided to paint over the boards that were installed by the Police Department. He said the cafe will reopen Wednesday with regular business hours.
“We are going to function just like normal. That’s why I want to make this pretty,” he said. “I feel like I’m being tested by the universe, but I’m gonna pass.”
