Auto theft task force leads to 15 recovered stolen vehicles, five arrests

The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force (PSATTF) took the lead in a multi-agency operation to recover stolen vehicles and arrest thieves in the Fife area of Pierce County.

In total, 15 vehicles were recovered and five arrests were made.

Along with the stolen vehicles, officers also recovered drugs during this week’s operation.

PSATTF said a vehicle stolen from the Puyallup area was found at a casino in the 4300 block of Pacific Highway East in Fife. A 17-year-old male was inside the vehicle. He was arrested and booked into jail for unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle.

Investigators said the car was used in a strong-arm robbery at the Gig Harbor Home Depot Oct. 12. One of the people in the car snatched a purse from an 87-year-old woman. The victim’s arm got caught in the purse straps, dragging her for several yards. Gig Harbor Police towed the vehicle and will search it for evidence.

Armed robber steals cash, but forgets his cigarettes

Puget Sound Fire stops car fire, investigating cause

Puget Sound Fire said overnight, two subjects in Kent broke a car window and threw burning materials into it.

The vehicle was extinguished before it could spread to the adjacent building. A search of the trunk required hydraulic spreaders.

Puget Sound Fire said a similar fire happened in the Kent Valley. The PSF Fire Marshal is still currently investigating.

A dumpster fire was also located near the Kent East Hill Fred Meyer and was quickly extinguished with no exposure damage. A recycling dumpster next to it was untouched.

SPD seeking public’s help to track down hit-and-run suspect

Seattle Police Detectives have released surveillance images of the vehicle in a hit-and-run incident and need the public’s help to find the driver.

Surveillance video showed that the vehicle that hit the pedestrian in late October was a light-colored silver, gray, or white 2011 to 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. After the driver struck the 66-year-old woman on Rainier Avenue South, the vehicle made an immediate right turn from northbound Rainier onto eastbound South Walden Street.

Police said the vehicle will likely have damage to the hood, grille, and front bumper near the passenger-side headlight.

If you have any information about this incident or this vehicle, please contact the Traffic Collisions Investigations Squad at 206-684-8923.

Derogatory language, assault leads to arrest

Earlier this week, Seattle Police said officers were dispatched to an assault call where the suspect walked past the victim and made derogatory remarks about the victim’s race.

SPD said the suspect then headbutted the victim. When a witness intervened, the suspect struck him with a large stick, causing him to have a dislocated shoulder.

The initial victim and bystanders stated they felt the suspect targeted and assaulted the victim based on his race. Police located the suspect and placed him under arrest at King County Jail.

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