Seattle garbage truck thief charged with assault
Oct 30, 2015, 7:36 AM | Updated: 8:31 am
Mussie Alemu was charged by King County prosecutors Thursday of theft of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude police and two counts of second-degree assault, according to charging documents. (Eric Mandel/MyNorthwest)
(Eric Mandel/MyNorthwest)
The man who took a Seattle garbage truck for a joy ride around Capitol Hill Tuesday faces charges of assault.
Mussie Alemu, 18, was charged by King County prosecutors Thursday, The Seattle Times reports. Alemu is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, attempting to elude police and two counts of second-degree assault.
Alemu allegedly stole the garbage truck after lunging at the driver, who went to the Seattle police precinct on 12th Avenue. When he returned, he saw his truck driving off, the Times reports.
Related: Garbage truck allegedly stolen by 18-year-old with learner’s permit
During his drive, Alemu allegedly drove the truck into the precinct’s east wall. One officer had to run to avoid being hit, the Times reports. The 18-year-old also intentionally drove the truck at a patrol car, with an officer inside, on East Pine Street, the charges say. The officer was forced to evade the truck to avoid a collision.
Alemu crashed through a Pronto Cycle Share station during his drive. Eleven bicycles were destroyed, and several were dragged down the street, the Times reports. The damage to the bike state is estimated at $20,000.
Initial reports also alleged that Alemu hit several parked cars.
Alemu’s 17-minute drive around Capitol Hill came to an end after the brakes on the truck malfunction — the air brakes were engaged the entire time — and the garbage truck crashed into another waste disposal truck, according to the Seattle Police Department. He climbed onto the roof of the truck before officers arrested him, the Times reports.
Alemu remains in the King County Correctional Facility. Bail is set at $150,000.
