Kent Police officers arrested a suspect wanted in connection with a rape investigation in Bothell after locating his vehicle in the city earlier this week, according to the department.
Bothell Police had issued a BOLO alert, short for “Be On the Look Out,” to surrounding law enforcement agencies requesting assistance in locating a suspect wanted for investigation of rape in the second degree and unlawful imprisonment.
The suspect was believed to be driving a Volkswagen GTI, and Flock Safety cameras indicated the vehicle had recently been in the Kent area several times, according to police.
At about 2:28 p.m. Tuesday, Mar. 10, Kent Traffic Officer Percy spotted the vehicle parked outside a downtown bank, police said.
Sgt. Goforth and officers Thomas, Lentz, Jeffries and Steiner responded to the scene and approached the suspect as he exited the bank.
Police said the suspect, a 24-year-old man from Buckley, complied with officers and was taken into custody without incident.
Kent police credited the arrest to coordinated efforts between departments and the use of technology to track the vehicle.
“Officers look at thousands of cars a day as they patrol our Kent streets, and sometimes finding a suspect vehicle is like looking for a needle in a haystack,” the department said in a statement.
After the arrest, the suspect was transferred to Bothell Police to face the charges, according to Kent police.
“We want all suspects to know that Kent is not the place to run to if you are trying to evade arrest,” police said. “We’re going to look for you and send you back to face your charges.”
