A 14-year-old driver and two teenage passengers were arrested Friday night, Feb. 28, 2025 after Kent Police, aided by a K-9 unit, a drone, and neighborhood 911 calls, tracked them down following an attempted traffic stop of a stolen vehicle.
Police said that at around 10 p.m., Officer Flowers was on routine patrol near 240th Street and 133rd Avenue SE when he spotted three masked juveniles attempting to load a bicycle into the trunk of a Kia. The group appeared startled upon noticing the patrol car, quickly abandoned the bike, and jumped into the vehicle before speeding off without checking for oncoming traffic.
Finding the behavior suspicious, Officer Flowers ran the license plate, which was confirmed stolen out of Tukwila. When he attempted a traffic stop, the Kia fled and turned down a dead-end road, crashing into a curb. The driver—a 14-year-old boy—jumped out and fled on foot, while two passengers ran into a nearby neighborhood.
“Everyone knows you can’t outrun K-9s, drones, radios, or 911 calls,” Kent police said in a statement. “So, stop bringing your stolen cars here. We will catch you.”
K-9 Atena and her handler, Officer Robinson, were deployed to track the driver. With a perimeter set, the K-9 quickly found him hiding in the bushes. The teen surrendered immediately and was taken into custody without incident.
Meanwhile, residents called 911 to report two juveniles running through their yards. Officer Hegamin used a drone to locate them on a nearby trail, where they were then intercepted by officers and arrested.
One of the teens was found with a mask still in his pocket and was recognized from a separate stolen vehicle case earlier in the week.
The 14-year-old driver was booked into King County Youth Center for eluding police and possession of a stolen vehicle. The car was sealed for forensic processing, and potential charges for the passengers are pending fingerprint analysis.
Kent police credited teamwork between officers and the community for the quick arrests.
“Your calls were crucial in locating the suspects,” the department stated. “Great job to K-9 Atena—big bone for her!”
