Police: Man busted after he speeds off in stolen car, crashes into other cars, then steals a van, crashes again

SEATTLE -- Police said they arrested a 34-year-old man Friday after he was spotted in a stolen car, led officers on a chase in the vehicle, crashed into other cars, then ditched his stolen ride, stole a van and crashed into another car in the Queen Anne neighborhood.

 

Police said witnesses called 911 just before 10:30 a.m. Friday and said there was a car hidden behind bushes in Ursala Judkins Viewpoint Park. Officers checked the plate and discovered the car was stolen. At that point, a man in the driver's seat sped off.

Officers gave chase as the car careened through a fence and into a patrol car, but the suspect managed to drive off on just the car's rims. Police called off the pursuit due to the suspect's reckless behavior. But officers followed a trail of damaged cars, and even a Metro bus, to the suspect's stolen car near a parking garage near 1st Avenue and Bell Street, police said.

Minutes later, police said, another victim called 911 and said the same suspect pulled them from their van, took it and sped off at 2100 Alaska Way. The man continued fleeing until he crashed into another car in the 3200 block of 14th Avenue West, causing the van to catch fire, police said.

Officers eventually arrested the suspect not far form where he crashed the van. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center for injuries sustained in the crashes, police said. No other injuries were reported.