Suspected shoplifters nabbed after Lynnwood chase, crashes
Published 1:30 am Tuesday, August 16, 2016
LYNNWOOD — Five people were in custody Monday after a group of suspected shoplifters piled into a stolen car and attempted to escape through congested Lynnwood traffic, causing numerous crashes, police said.
It began with a 2:25 p.m. report of multiple suspects trying to steal from the Kohl’s store in the 18400 block of Alderwood Mall Boulevard, Lynnwood police said. The suspects jumped into a Hyundai Elantra, which had been reported stolen in Seattle.
Police responding to the thefts spotted the erratically-driven vehicle sideswipe multiple cars and continue driving. Officers pursued for about four blocks, but stopped the chase because of increasing traffic and the suspects’ dangerous driving, police said.
The suspects sped westbound on Alderwood Mall Boulevard. The driver ignored a red light at the intersection with 44th Avenue West, causing a three-car collision that injured one woman. The suspects reportedly caused another crash in the 19800 block of 48th Avenue W.
They continued toward Edmonds where they reportedly abandoned the Hyundai in a church parking lot in the 22900 block of Edmonds Way.
Officers from Lynnwood, Edmonds and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office converged on the scene and began searching, accompanied by three police dogs. In all, five people were arrested. Detectives were gathering evidence to recommend appropriate criminal charges.
