Pierce County detectives targeting car thieves after chase, fatal crash

TACOMA -- Detectives in Pierce County said they expect to make more arrests following the deaths of two suspected car thieves during a chase on Wednesday.

It started with a 911 call from a concerned mother who thought there were stolen cars in her driveway.

“My daughters been wrapped up with people who steal cars, that’s why I called,” said the caller. “I don’t need it at my house.”

Police responded, but that mother had no idea that her daughter, 19-yer old Krista Case, would be killed along with the driver, Alex Baker, 22, after trying to outrun police along Military Road in Spanaway.

Baker’s grandfather, Larry Townsend, said Thursday that his grandson was a good kid who was heading down the wrong path.

“I understand he made some bad choices, but that’s not who he was,” said Townsend.

But detectives call Baker a prolific car thief.

“He’s been stealing cars for multiple years,” said Ed Troyer of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. “He’s been in jail over a dozen times, including for armed robbery, felony eluding , and vehicle theft.”

Troyer said Baker was part of a large car theft ring around Pierce County.

The driver of another stolen car, Patrick Jackson, was pulled over before the crash involving Baker and Case.

The owner of that car, Johnathan Rumbawa, said he’s not surprised his car was stolen. Hondas, he said, are targeted in Pierce County and his younger brother’s Honda was also recently targeted by thieves.

“I’m glad I’ll be getting my car back,” said Rumbawa. “But I’m sorry about what happened, and that two people were killed.”