Yesterday, the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATTF) led a multi-agency operation to recover stolen vehicles and arrest vehicle theft suspects in the Parkland area of Pierce County. In total, 11 vehicles were recovered, and 3 arrests were made.
The following vehicles were recovered during yesterday’s operation:
Subaru Imprezza (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Lakewood area. Located at an apartment complex in the 500 block of 110th St Ct E in Parkland.
Ford F-250 (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Lakewood area. Located at Tule Lake Rd S and Park Ave S in Parkland.
Hyundai Elantra (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Milton area. Located at 100th St S and A St S in Parkland.
Kia Sedona (occupied)
Stolen from the Tacoma area. Located in a parking lot in the 1400 block of E 72nd St in Tacoma. The 52-year-old driver was on community custody, so Department of Corrections officers performed a compliance check on the vehicle. Inside, they located one-half pound of methamphetamine, two firearms (one was stolen), fentanyl powder and pills, live ammunition, and shell casings. In his pocket, he had $1,500 cash. He was booked into jail for unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen firearm, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
Kia Forte (occupied)
Stolen from the Tacoma area. Located in the 6400 block of Portland Ave E in Tacoma. A 26-year-old male was arrested following a short foot pursuit and was booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing.
Ford Expedition (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Vancouver area. Located in the 1700 block of 74th St Ct E in Midland.
Kia Rio (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Parkland area. Located at an apartment complex in the 10900 block of 62nd Ave E in the Summit area.
Jeep Commander (occupied)
Stolen from the Port of Seattle. Located in the 7600 block of Pacific Ave in Tacoma. The vehicle is a rental car that was never returned, otherwise known as a bailee theft. Four adults were inside the vehicle. One was arrested for her outstanding warrants. Detectives need to follow up with the rental car company before determining if the driver will be charged. The vehicle was impounded for a search warrant.
Hyundai Sonata (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Tacoma area. Located in the 9300 block of Portland Ave E in the Midland area.
Hyundai Sonata (unoccupied)
Stolen from the Parkland area. Located at an apartment complex in the 10700 block of 17th Ave E in Parkland.
Ford F-450 (unoccupied)
Stolen from the South Hill area. Located at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of 104th St S in Parkland.
During the operation, three vehicles fled from traffic stops, including two Hondas and a Porsche. Since motor vehicle theft is not a pursuable offense, deputies could not chase after them. Smokey, Washington State Patrol’s airplane, tracked the stolen Porsche from the air as it continued to drive recklessly (without being pursued) northbound on I-5 to the King County line.
We want to thank the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, Department of Corrections, Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force, FBI’s South Sound Gang Task Force, and Washington State Patrol for participating in yesterday’s operation.
“Auto thefts are a regional issue,” said Sgt. Jeff Carroll of the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force. “We have detectives from multiple agencies within King and Pierce Counties working together to aggressively investigate prolific thieves and get people their stolen vehicles back.”
Tips to protect your vehicle:
– Remove or hide all valuables
– Lock your car
– Don’t leave keys or fobs inside
– Don’t leave your vehicle running unattended
– Use anti-theft devices (alarm, kill switch, steering wheel lock)
– Park in well-lit areas
The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATT) is dedicated to investigating prolific auto theft offenders through multi-agency cooperation in King & Pierce Counties. The PSATT is funded through a grant from the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority (WATPA).