Federal Way police identify suspect in car prowling spree

According to the department, multiple subjects damaged and prowled around 70 vehicles at eight different locations from Feb. 10 to Feb. 11.

Federal Way police say they have identified suspects linked to a spree of vehicle break-ins across the span of two days in February at multiple locations in Federal Way.

According to the department, multiple subjects damaged and prowled around 70 vehicles at eight different locations from Feb. 10 to Feb. 11.

According to the department, officers responded on Feb. 10 to Dumas Bay Centre at 3200 SW Dash Point Road after receiving a report of break-ins on multiple vehicles. The suspects smashed windows on a total of 21 vehicles at Dumas Bay Centre. According to the department, the suspects stole one item from a single vehicle in the incident. Witnesses described the suspects as five boys, all minors, in a reported stolen vehicle.

According to the department, about two hours after the Dumas Bay Centre prowlings, suspects smashed the windows of an additional 17 vehicles at the Commons Mall at 1928 South Commons.

Following the Commons Mall prowlings, suspects targeted four more vehicles at an apartment complex.

According to the department, on the morning of Feb. 11, the spree continued, with 10 vehicles broken into at the King County Aquatic Center at 650 SW Campus Drive, and 17 additional vehicles targeted at three different church locations.

According to the department, at approximately 11:30 a.m. Feb. 11, patrol officers located the suspect vehicle, containing five occupants, at the McDonald’s parking lot at 34814 Pacific Highway South.

Upon seeing the patrol vehicle, the suspects fled at a high rate of speed eastbound on South 348th Street, and headed southbound on Interstate 5 and escaping, according to the department. Police located the suspect vehicle, unoccupied, several hours later in Puyallup.

According to the department, further investigation found an individual linked to the prowling spree. On Feb. 22, the department released photos of the person of interest captured on surveillance on social media, requesting public assistance in identifying him.

The department released an update on Feb. 23 stating they identified the individual.

As of March 11, officers have identified two additional suspects, having identified a total of three suspects, according to Kyle Buchanan, administrative commander for the Federal Way Police Department. Investigation continues into the incident.

“I am not sure at this time if there are more suspects that need to be identified,” Buchanan stated in an email. “The case is still being investigated and charges will be forwarded to the appropriate court once the investigation is completed.”