On June 16th at 5:45 p.m. the 87-year-old male victim had just dropped off his wife at home and had parked their car when he noticed a black car with shiny chrome wheels parked next to his car. A female was driving and a 19-year-old male (the suspect) was in the passenger seat. The female engaged the victim in conversation saying that something was wrong with his right rear tire and that the suspect could fix it. The victim indicated that he didn’t think anything was wrong with the tire. The suspect then got out of the car and opened the victim’s driver’s door and activated the trunk release. The suspect took an object out of the trunk and bent down by the right rear tire making motions as if he was working on it.
At some point during the incident, the female told the victim she was driving a Dodge Charger. The suspect eventually replaced the wheel cover on the victim’s car and then approached the victim demanding $350 for the repair. The victim refused to pay and an argument ensued. The suspect reached behind the victim and removed the victim’s wallet from his back pants pocket. The suspect then got into the 2006 black Dodge Charger with the female and fled the scene.
Responding officers recognized the suspect and vehicle description from previous contacts.
On June 19th a patrol officer stopped the suspect vehicle and identified the occupants. During the contact, the officer gathered additional information about the above incident which was passed on to other officers.
Later that evening, another patrol officer made contact with the registered owner of the Dodge Charger, a female. That officer’s interview developed probable cause to arrest the suspect for theft of the 87-year-old victim’s wallet.
Officers checked multiple locations hoping to find the suspect however, the suspect was not located.
On June 30th at approximately 1:30 a.m. North Precinct patrol officers and the North Precinct Anti-Crime Team located the suspect at a residence in the 5200 block of 15th Avenue NE. The suspect fled the scene but was apprehended after a brief foot pursuit.
The 19-year-old male suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Investigation of Theft (felony theft).
Robbery detectives continue to actively investigate.