Suspect Arrested For Thefts In Tri-Cities, E. WA

(Seattle, WA)  --  A suspect has been arrested in connection with the thefts of a dozen trailers and heavy equipment from eastern Washington.  The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force identified the 45-year-old Federal Way man as a suspect in the thefts.  He was arrested driving a 2015 Ford Transit van that was reported stolen from Richland. The VIN had been altered to match a wrecked Ford Transit van he bought at auction.  A total of 18 pieces of equipment and trailers from eastern Washington were recovered in Parkland, Kent, Federal Way, and Bellevue.

According to a Facebook post from the task force, the suspect was living in a 2020 Shadow Cruiser travel trailer, which had also been stolen from the Richland area. All original decals and the original VIN had been removed from the trailer. The suspect installed a new VIN placard that belonged to a Forest River travel trailer. He also installed new decals consistent with the Forest River brand.