Kirkland Police Arrest Juvenile Suspects in Weekend Crime Spree
Published on May 10, 2024
Media Contact: Sergeant Eric Karp
Kirkland Police Department
ekarp@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3436
Case/Incident # 24-15316
KIRKLAND, Wash. – Kirkland Police put an end to a weeklong crime spree with the arrest of two juvenile suspects, who were apprehended multiple times over the course of a week. The suspects, both 16-year-olds, are accused of committing a string of crimes in and around Kirkland.
On the afternoon of May 1, 2024, Kirkland Patrol Officers responded to the 900 block of 3rd Street following a report of two individuals attempting to steal a vehicle. The witness provided descriptions of the suspects, who fled the scene on foot. After foot pursuits, officers were able to apprehend both 16-year-old suspects, a male from Kirkland and a female from Redmond. Both were booked into the King County Youth Center for attempted motor vehicle theft, malicious mischief in the second degree, and obstructing a police officer.
The male individual was also charged with second degree theft for his suspected stealing of thousands of dollars in vape products from a Totem Lake business earlier the same day. Both juvenile suspects were released after judicial review due to the non-violent nature of the arrest offenses.
In the following days, the male individual became a suspect in a significant crime spree in the area to include a robbery at a Kirkland gas station, a burglary of a cannabis shop, an attempted burglary of a second cannabis shop, two counts of possessing stolen vehicles, organized retail theft, theft in the first degree, and attempting to elude police.
Around 10:20 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, that same male individual drove around the parking lot of the Kirkland Police Department in a vehicle stolen from a condo complex in Kirkland. The suspect driver appeared to be baiting Officers into a pursuit by driving in circles with the vehicle lights off and honking the vehicle horn for attention. When officers responded, the suspect vehicle fled.
Based on a reasonable suspicion that the suspect had recently committed the violent crime of robbery, Kirkland Police Officers were authorized to pursue the fleeing vehicle. Officers performed a successful Pursuit Intervention Technique and disabled the suspect vehicle. Both occupants fled on foot from the vehicle but were successfully apprehended a short time later.
Both juvenile suspects were again booked into the King County Youth Center on additional charges. The male individual was held in custody due to his significant involvement in the crime spree. The female individual was placed on electronic home monitoring.
Kirkland Police Department would like to thank the Redmond Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.