Kent boy, 14, faces stolen vehicle, attempting to elude charges

A 14-year-old Kent boy faces charges of possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle.

King County prosecutors filed charges Nov. 1 against the teen. Federal Way Police arrested the boy and another 14-year-old Kent boy Oct. 28 after a pursuit that ended in northeast Tacoma.

So far, charges have only been filed against the one Kent boy, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The Kent Reporter is not naming the teen because he is a juvenile (under age 18) and is being charged in Juvenile Court.

The boy pleaded not guilty to each charge at his Nov. 2 arraignment, according to court documents. A judge released him to his parents and he is on electronic home monitoring. He is scheduled to return to court Nov. 3o for a hearing at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle.

The case was filed through traditional prosecution and not a diversion program, according to a Nov. 14 email from Casey McNerthney, spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

If found guilty as charged, the teen will face a sentencing range (set by the state Legislature) of zero to 30 days for each offense with zero to 12 months supervision, McNerthney said.

According to charging documents, the boy reportedly had in his possession a 2017 Kia Optima that was reported stolen Oct. 27 in Federal Way. The boy also reportedly refused to stop when a police vehicle with its lights and sirens going followed the vehicle.

The boy also is a suspect in purse-snatching cases in Federal Way along with the other Kent boy and a Kent girl. No charges have been filed yet in those incidents.

On Oct. 28, Federal Way Police responded to the Northshore Chevron Gas station, 34007 Hoyt Road SW, after a report of a suspicious vehicle at the station, according to court documents. A 911 caller indicated the occupants of the vehicle may be linked to several robberies, based on images released to the media by police.

Officers converged on the station, but the driver in the Kia fled and officers pursued, according to charging papers. During the pursuit, speeds approached 80 mph, An initial pursuit intervention technique (PIT) failed to stop the vehicle.

A short while later, the suspect vehicle crashed into a fence, according to police. The driver fled but was immediately taken into custody. An occupant in the vehicle fled on foot. Police eventually took the other boy into custody in a nearby neighborhood. No charges have been filed yet against him. He was released to his parents.