Three girls, including a 12-year-old, arrested for eluding police in a stolen car | Law Enforcement Today

TACOMA, WA- Authorities with the Tacoma Police Department (TPD) said that three girls, including a 12-year-old, have been arrested after allegedly being caught driving around in a stolen car in Tacoma's South End.

According to reports, TPD spokesperson Detective William Muse said that the suspects were observed by police to be driving suspiciously in a Kia Optima around 8:00 p.m. on New Year's Day. On Thursday, January 2nd, two of the girls were charged in connection to the alleged theft.

Charging papers in Pierce County Juvenile Court state that the vehicle was determined to have been marked stolen from Kent on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. According to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, a 15-year-old girl, identified as the driver, has been charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. 

Court documents also show that a 14-year-old passenger has been charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission. Prosecutors sought an identical charge against the 12-year-old passenger who is expected to be arraigned on January 16th.

TPD said that an officer saw the vehicle on South 72nd Street, speeding in the right lane and passing other motorists on the right side. As the officer got closer, the Kia quickly changed to the left lane without signaling and abruptly turned left in front of another vehicle onto South D Street.

Court documents say that the Kia then entered a 7-Eleven parking lot near Portland Avenue and 72nd Street and then a Wendy's parking lot in the 1400 block of 72nd Street. After the pursuing officer activated their patrol vehicle's emergency lights, the three girls exited the Kia. FOX 13 reported that all three girls started running away, but officers were able to catch and arrest all three of them.

The two passengers were immediately detained and the driver was later identified. The 14-year-old girl was allegedly in possession of a USB cable. These cables have been used to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles across the country as part of a trend over the past few years. Young people are learning the trend on social media and using it to steal cars. 

The officer who pursued the stolen vehicle reported extensive damage to its steering column, which had allegedly been changed from its original factory setting. After they were arrested, the two teens were taken to Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center and the 12-year-old was returned to family in Auburn. 

In a separate incident, a teen is in critical condition after crashing a stolen car in New Haven, Connecticut. According to NBC Connecticut, a 15-year-old is in the hospital after crashing a stolen car into a telephone pole early Thursday morning, January 2nd. Police said that another person was also in the car with the teen; that person ran from the scene.

Officers responding to Quinnipiac Avenue near Hemingway Street around 3:02 a.m. after getting a report that a car had hit a pole and there were multiple injuries. 

Upon arriving on scene, officers found a Hyundai Elantra down an embankment and first responders were able to pull the teen from the vehicle. He was taken to Yale New Haven Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition. Another person was reported to have gotten out of the crashed car and fled the scene on foot.

Police said the vehicle's ignition had been tampered with and that the car had been stolen. Police are asking anyone who saw the crash or who has information to call detectives at 203-946-6304. Tips can also be provided anonymously at 866-888-8477.