House passes vehicle theft bill to extend statute of limitations

A measure aimed to help reduce the number of car thefts in Washington state passed the House on an unanimous vote last week in Olympia.

A measure aimed to help reduce the number of car thefts in Washington state passed the House on an unanimous vote last week in Olympia.

House Bill 2354 will give law enforcement more time to investigate auto theft by extending the statute of limitations from three years to six years for trafficking in stolen vehicles and auto parts, according to a House Democrats media release.

“This bill will help dedicated law enforcement officers complete their investigations on complex auto theft rings, which often times take years to solve because tracking down the stolen parts can be a very lengthy process,” said state Rep. Tina Orwall, D-Des Moines, the bill’s prime sponsor.

While the value of stolen auto parts reduced about 20 percent from 2010 ($3,595,547) to 2011 ($2,887,935), auto theft and trafficking of auto parts continues to be a problem in the state.

In fact, last summer, the Seattle Times reported that auto theft rose 18.8 percent in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area in 2010 compared with 2009, and that, overall, auto thefts in Washington climbed nearly 10 percent over that same period.

“We need to give police the time to solve these crimes not only because of the complexity, but also because of the damaging effect car theft has on people,” said Rep. Katrina Asay, R-Milton, one of the bill’s co-sponsors. “For most people, a car is one of the biggest financial investments they will ever make and a theft can be devastating. People need to feel safe in their communities and this is an important step in the right direction.”

This legislation comes at a time when the Washington State Patrol’s Stolen Vehicle Task Force has been reduced by 50 percent. With half the manpower gone, the extension of time provided by the bill will help ensure that officers have the resources they need.

Orwall’s measure will not change current sentencing guidelines, but it will help in the investigations of stolen property and will hold criminals accountable. Both the Washington Auto Prevention Task Force and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs strongly support the bill.

The legislation has been sent to the Senate and is likely to be heard in committee this week.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
Cancer Center is open and ready to serve South King County

Cancer patients can now receive treatment at the Valley Medical Center in Renton.

t
Kent officers part of CW ‘Police 24/7’ episode Thursday night, Feb. 6

Department also part of future episodes after CW crews responded on calls with police in 2024

An Amtrak train in Kent. FILE PHOTO, STEVE HUNTER, Kent Reporter
Pedestrian, 30, dies in Kent collision with Amtrak train | Update

Medical examiner identifies Kent man struck Wednesday evening, Feb. 5 near East Titus Street

t
NTSB rules pilot lost control in 2023 Kent small plane crash

Pilot and passenger were injured; pilot flew without receiving training in plane model’s operation

Courtesy Photo, King County
Man receives 35-year sentence for 2021 Kent killing of mother

Duane Bates borrowed pipe wrench from neighbor in beating death and later returned it

A city of Kent Public Works crew member chains up a truck Feb. 3 to help clear snow from streets. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Kent schools closed for 3rd consecutive day due to icy conditions

Kent School District cancels classes on Wednesday, Feb. 5

t
World Relief office in Kent faces challenging refugee crisis

Trump’s executive order to suspend refugee resettlement directly impacts nonprofit

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent schools closed Tuesday, Feb. 4 due to icy roads

Second consecutive day of no school due to road conditions

Courtesy Photo, City of Kent
Kent Severe Weather Shelter to be open nights of Feb. 3-7

Shelter downtown at Holy Spirit Church will operate from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night

t
Kent Police hire officer who fatally shot Kansas man while on duty

Officer previously worked for Olathe Police Department; remains subject of wrongful death lawsuit

Calvin Watts. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, Kent School District
Ex-Kent schools’ superintendent Watts fired from Georgia job

Gwinnett County board terminates superintendent contract; Watts left Kent in 2021 for position