Ellensburg truck owner taken on wild ride while attempting to stop thief

In an attempt to stop a driver who had stolen his pickup truck, police say the owner jumped into the truck bed and then was taken on a terrifying ride.

Officers say on Saturday, a truck owner reported his pickup stolen from the 100 block of West Third Ave. About 20 minutes later, officers got a call that he had spotted it and in an attempt to stop the suspect, hopped into the bed of the truck.

Police say the victim quickly realized his mistake when the suspect did not pull  over, driving around town and zipping through stop signs. The victim said he tried multiple times to get the suspect to pull over but he did not listen.

Officers caught up to the truck on the 400 block of South Main Street as the victim was frantically waiving for help. They attempted to stop the truck but it continued North on Main then West on University Way.

Police say eventually, the suspect slowed down enough near Thorp Highway on I-90, so the owner could hop out. The suspect continued on I-90 but eventually he stopped again and was arrested. The 16-year-old  from Ellensburg, was booked into the Yakima Juvenile Detention Facility and faces several charges of Vehicle Theft, Eluding Police, Kidnapping, DUI and No Valid Driver’s License.