Suspect in Pierce County van theft hit with more charges

A theft suspect who was arrested in Pierce County on Friday after a drone spotted him hiding in the woods near a bee farm pleaded not guilty today. Prosecutors charged 24-year-old Mohamed Abdi with obstruction of a law enforcement officer and with possession of a controlled substance, fentanyl, from an earlier case. Judge Claire Sussman granted his attorney's motion to ban us from showing you his face in court. Witnesses say they saw Abdi stealing tools out of a stolen van and hiding them in the bushes. Deputies launched a drone that spotted him hiding in some thick brush. They walked through a bee farm very carefully to get to him. They saw him running, and they chased him down. Abdi was scheduled to appear in court on Monday, but the hearing was delayed because a Somali interpreter was needed. Well, that's interesting, because body cam video shows that he speaks perfect English. Well, what did I do, man? What do you mean, what did you do? Abdi's attorney asked Judge Sussman to release him on personal recognizance, saying he works as a laborer cleaning properties in exchange for rent in Tacoma and is enrolled in some kind of supportive program in Auburn. Well, the judge denied that request and set his bail at $7,500 for each charge. Prosecutors also say he has an active arrest warrant in Kent for similar charges.