Spokane: 14-Year-Old Arrested After Fleeing From Stolen Victim
Washingtoner/10230020

~ On the morning of August 28th, a 14-year-old suspect was arrested for multiple crimes after fleeing from a stolen Hyundai Sonata.

The victim of the vehicle theft had equipped the car with a tracking device and was able to provide officers with real-time information regarding its location. When officers located the stolen vehicle in an alley, the suspect immediately fled on foot, jumping fences and running through yards in the process. The suspect left the vehicle in gear as he fled, which caused it to roll into and strike an SPD patrol vehicle.

A few minutes later, officers found the suspect hiding in some tall grass next to a home and took him into custody without further incident. Upon being taken into custody, the suspect lied about his identity to officers. Sunglasses belonging to the victim of the vehicle theft were also found along the path that had been run by the suspect.

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The juvenile suspect was booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention for multiple charges including: possession of a stolen motor vehicle, hit and run, obstructing a law enforcement officer (for fleeing from officers), making false statements to a law enforcement officer (lying about his name), and theft 3rd degree (for taking the sunglasses). The 14-year-old was released from juvenile detention a few hours after being arrested.

An increasing number of Kia and Hyundai vehicles have been reported stolen in Spokane recently. Security upgrades are offered by manufacturers for some makes and models which may make it more difficult for prospective thieves to steal a vehicle. Owners are encouraged to contact an authorized dealer or visit their manufacturer's website to learn if their vehicle is eligible for security enhancements. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) also operates a query tool which allows vehicle owners to enter their VIN and see if there are any published recalls for their car.

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