Speeding Car Thief Nabbed in WSP Speed Emphasis

King County troopers working a holiday speed emphasis this morning on 405 in downtown Bellevue were called upon to assist Kirkland Police officers with a stolen car. The stolen 1989 Toyota Camry was observed by Kirkland police on NE 85th St in the Rose Hill area of Kirkland. A Kirkland Police officer attempted to stop the car when the driver sped off.

After following the car into Redmond for a short distance the driver returned to Kirkland and entered S/B 405. Troopers who were working speed enforcement in the area were notified that the stolen car was approaching their location. As the stolen car approached downtown Bellevue still followed by the Kirkland Police, he rounded the curve and came upon approximately 8 WSP cars that were waiting for him.

Troopers followed the suspect as he continued S/B on 405. Troopers pulled along side of the stolen car and spoke to the driver over their loud speakers informing him that he needed to stop and that his efforts to flee were ridiculous. The driver exited to NE 44th St and made several turns before stopping at NE 39th St. and Meadow Ave N. The driver quickly jumped from the car and ran behind a house with a crowd of State Patrol troopers on his heels. The driver was assisted to the ground and arrested.

The driver, a 37-year-old Renton man who is a convicted felon has a lengthy criminal history and has been arrested for auto theft before. A records check revealed that the driver has a suspended driver's license and an outstanding warrant for theft. When asked were he got the car the driver stated “from my friend, but he's in jail for stealing cars”.