Man in Mountlake Terrace clung to hood of fleeing car after foiling catalytic converter theft

A suspected catalytic converter thief was caught in the act Thursday and attempted to flee from the scene in Mountlake Terrace, taking police on a chase.

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Police say the regional manager of the Vineyard Park, a retirement community in Mountlake Terrace, witnessed a man jacking up an unoccupied car and confronted the man.

When the suspect got into his car, the manager tried to prevent the man from leaving by standing in front of the car, but the suspect accelerated towards the manager and the manager ended up on the hood.

Police say the suspect drove away with the manager on the hood. The manager eventually fell off the car, but is reported to be OK.

“He would do anything for these residents,” said Aaron Richards, an employee at Vineyard Park senior living. “He loves this building and the residents love him and he’s great. So it doesn’t surprise me at all.”

– Suspect caught jacking up a car at Vineyard Park senior living (likely trying to steal cat converter)
– Manager tries to stop him & goes for ride on the hood😮(he's ok)
– Suspect takes Montlake Terrace PD on a chase
– Tries to hide in the woods off I-5 in Lynnwood
– Arrested pic.twitter.com/getV2PeUZK

— Deedee Sun (@DeedeeKIRO7) May 7, 2021

Officers chased the suspect, but police say when he continued to drive recklessly through neighborhood streets, they called off the chase.

After the suspect got onto I-5 and headed north, he abandoned his car on the side of the freeway, near the 44th Avenue exit in Lynnwood.

The suspect took his jack out of the car and attempted to hide it off the shoulder of the road. He then ran off into the woods.

Police were able to locate the suspect and he was taken into custody.

He was arrested for hit and run, assault, vehicle prowling, reckless driving and drug possession.

Written by KIRO 7 reporter Deedee Sun