Kent Police arrested a 40-year-old Kent man early Tuesday morning, Feb. 3 after officers used license plate recognition technology and coordinated patrol tactics to locate a stolen vehicle and take the driver into custody.
Officers were on an unrelated call around 2:20 a.m. in the 24000 block of Pacific Highway South (map below) when Officer Petersen received an alert from Flock Safety cameras indicating a stolen 2005 Jeep Liberty was parked nearby. The vehicle had been reported stolen the previous day in Federal Way.
Officer Petersen observed the Jeep backed into a parking stall and confirmed it was occupied by two suspects. He notified dispatch, requested additional officers, and moved closer to prevent the vehicle from leaving the area.
As Officer Petersen approached, the driver noticed the police vehicle and began driving slowly toward an exit. When emergency equipment was activated, the driver drove over a parking lot sidewalk to reach Pacific Highway South and fled southbound.
Officer Wong arrived as the vehicle was leaving the area and pursued with lights and sirens activated. He radioed for spike strips and assessed conditions for a safe pursuit intervention technique maneuver. During the pursuit, the Jeep spun out on its own into the grass, prompting the passenger to exit the vehicle and flee on foot.
The driver then attempted to continue fleeing in the Jeep but was stopped a short time later when Officer Wong successfully performed a pursuit intervention technique maneuver. Officer Wong positioned his vehicle at the front of the Jeep, while K9 Officer Tudor and his police dog Frank secured the rear, preventing further movement.
The driver was taken into custody without further incident. Police said he was booked into the King County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a police vehicle.
Officers also reported the suspect was in possession of multiple items commonly associated with vehicle theft.
“Great proactive policing, teamwork, and tech coming together to get this prolific suspect into custody and the vehicle returned to its owner,” police said in a statement.
