Kent Police arrested a 36-year-old Seattle man for investigation of felony eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle and unlawful possession of a firearm after a short pursuit.
An officer on routine patrol at about 2:33 p.m. Monday, April 14 in an apartment complex near the 25600 block of 98th Avenue SE saw a stolen maroon 2014 Kia Sorrento driving past him, according to an April 15 Kent Police social media post. The officer followed the vehicle into a parking lot. The apartment complex is near Kent-Meridian High School.
As the officer attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver reportedly pulled an abrupt U-turn and drove towards the exit, striking the front of a patrol vehicle, according to police. The officer saw the driver as the Kia exited. The officer was not injured.
Many officers flooded into the area to assist. The Kia was spotted re-entering the parking lot of the original complex. The driver lost control on a turn and ended up high-centered in the landscaping. The driver and his passenger, a 44-year-old Kent woman, ran from the Kia, according to police.
An officer quickly found the woman. She was on state Department of Corrections (DOC) supervision for previous crimes. State DOC officers responded and arrested the woman for violating the conditions of her earlier crimes.
The Seattle man reportedly tried to blend in with the crowd that had gathered to see what was going on. But the officer, who first pursued him and had his vehicle struck, recognized him and officers took the man into custody.
An illegal gun with the serial number obscured was later located stuffed in the driver’s seat. That led to an additional charge of alteration of identifying marks, (for alteration of the firearm’s serial number) against the man.
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