The following is a sample from the Federal Way police log:

Pleasant fire leads to unpleasant mystery: At 7:22 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 33000 block of 17th Lane S., an apartment resident reported to police that he built a fire in the fireplace around Thanksgiving time with no issue. However, he again built a fire for ambience on Dec. 11 around midnight while his girlfriend was over and something happened. He used some scrap wood from his work location along with a packaged pressed fire-log and some firewood that he purchased in a building from either Winco or Wal-Mart. He used some newspaper for kindling and soon had a pleasant fire.

Shortly thereafter, he and his girlfriend heard some loud popping noises. They extinguished the fire and saw several 9 mm rounds inside the fireplace. Several of the rounds had gone off, sending fragments around the fireplace and into the slider shades.

Police recovered the slugs from the fireplace as well as several unexpended rounds. The resident does not own a gun and had no idea how the rounds got into his fireplace. He said no one else had access to his apartment that he was aware of. His apartment was on the third floor of the building, further adding to the mystery. Police took custody of the slugs, the cartridges and the fragments and booked them into evidence.

Someone tries to break inside home while family sleeping: Between 8-10 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 27000 block of Pacific Highway S., an unknown suspect put a metal shim into the doorknob lock, causing damage. The apartment owner was asleep inside with his children and family during the incident. He thought someone might have wanted to gain access but could not be sure. Maintenance for the apartment complex replaced the lock.

Someone steals phone from toddler: At 9:40 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 34000 block of Pacific Highway S., a man reported that his wife and kids were at Pattison’s West Skating Center. His 3-year-old and wife were seated at a table with four other family members when his son was playing games on his cell phone. His wife left for two minutes to check on their daughter and when she returned to the table she discovered someone had stolen the cell phone from her son’s hands. No one at the table noticed anyone stopping by the table or taking the phone. Management checked their video cameras only to discover the cameras were not recording as they should have been during the incident.

Man shows genitals to unsuspecting teen: At 12:10 p.m. on Dec. 11 in an unknown block of SW Campus Drive, a 14-year-old informed police that she was walking home near the intersection of 348th Street when the driver of a maroon four-door Sedan pulled up next to her and asked her for directions to H-Mart. She took her earbuds out of her ears and approached the man and said that she knew where H-Mart was. She was giving him directions when she noticed that he either wasn’t wearing any pants or had pulled them down, exposing his genitals.

Surprised, she jumped back in shock and noticed the man was touching his genitals and asked her to come closer to look at his “scar.” She said no and then ran home and told her mother what happened. She said she may possibly be able to identify the man if she were to see him again and she described him as white, in his 30s, with a moustache and heavy build.

Uncooperative transient arrested: At 1:38 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 2000 block of S. 320th St., Deseret Industries management requested police help for a transient who would not leave the front entryway of the business where he was sleeping. The transient was extremely uncooperative and refused to leave or to identify himself. Officers arrested the man for a confirmed Pierce County warrant. He was trespassed permanently from the business and he was booked into Pierce County jail.

Drunk driver slumped over steering wheel: At 2:13 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 31000 block of 51st Ave. SW, a witness followed a suspected DUI driver while speaking with dispatch. Police officers then contacted the driver, who was slumped over the steering wheel of the vehicle, which was running and parked in her driveway. The witness cooperated with the investigation and provided full contact information. The driver was arrested for physical control and booked into SCORE jail without incident.

Thief attempts to use 11 credit cards at Wal-Mart: At 4:24 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 1900 block of S. 314th St., the victim called to report someone used her credit card. She said she had the card in her possession but she called Wal-Mart about her card being used at that location and they told her it had been swiped at 3:21 p.m. The victim said she did not give anyone permission to use her card and hasn’t given the card number to anyone.

Police contacted a Wal-Mart employee, who informed police the male who used the card also attempted to use 11 cards, successfully getting money from six of them. Police obtained surveillance video of the male from Wal-Mart Loss Prevention, which was booked into evidence. The suspect is a tall heavyset male. Wal-Mart provided police with register logs of the male attempting to use the cards. Police advised the victim to get a new card and to get her bank to reverse the fraudulent charge.

Shoplifter found with two used syringes: At 5:32 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 2100 block of S. Commons, police contacted a man for suspicious activity in Kohl’s store. He was arrested for a Department of Corrections felony warrant for possession of dangerous drugs. Police recovered two used syringes from the man’s pocket. He admitted to being addicted to heroin. The suspect was booked for his warrant into SCORE jail and was given a warning for drug paraphernalia.

Store staff finds child porn on lost phone: At 7 p.m. on Dec. 12 at 1900 S. 314th St., Loss Prevention personnel at Wal-Mart contacted police to report they found a lost phone. In an attempt to locate the owner of the phone, store staff located what is suspected to be child pornography on the phone. The phone was turned over to police and the investigation is ongoing.

Resident sees mail thief: At 12:35 p.m. on Dec. 12 in the 31000 block of Fourth Ave. SW, a resident reported that his or her dog started barking around 3 a.m., so the resident looked out the window and saw a late model white sedan parked in front of the mailbox.

The suspect drove south on Fourth Avenue Southwest with their lights off. The next morning when the resident went out to the mailbox, he or she found that the mailbox was pried open and mail from the day before was missing.

Police identify thief thanks to video footage: At 12:15 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the 1000 block of SW 320th St., an unknown suspect broke into the victim’s vehicle and stole the victim’s purse and credit cards. The suspect used the victim’s card at Wal-Mart and Jack in the Box. Police obtained video footage from the stores and established the suspect’s information. The investigation is ongoing.

Woman reports her grandson sexually assaulted family member: A woman reported to police that she suspected her teen grandson of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old family member. The investigation is ongoing.

Thief steals tip jar at ice cream shop: At 9:54 p.m. on Dec. 10 at 31653 Pacific Highway S., a Sub Zero employee reported the theft of a tip jar containing small bills and change. The employee believes the jar contained approximately $30.

He did not witness the theft, but he believes a group of homeless people may have taken it. The homeless people were inside the store for a short time and when they left, the employee noticed the tip jar was missing.

Woman claims son put glass in can of nuts: At 3:46 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the 4000 block of SW 321st St., a woman reported she found a small piece of glass from a broken candy dish inside a can of mixed nuts. She said she has been having problems with her son and his girlfriend. There is no proof that it was done intentionally but due to the problems with her son the woman wanted the incident documented.