Spike-Strip Stops Store Theives In Stolen Van: Marin Deputies

MARIN CITY, CA –After a U-Haul van reported stolen Wednesday from San Francisco was tracked to a Target store in Marin City, Marin County Sheriff's deputies from the southern substation went into action, setting up a strategic trap that snared two suspects, according to authorities.

Deputies, responding to the call at about 10:30 a.m., found the reportedly stolen vehicle backed up and parked in a Target spot near the front of the store, officials said.

While deputies and Sausalito Police Department officers kept watch on the van, spike strips were placed in front of the vehicle to incapacitate the tires if the suspects returned and tried to flee. Loss-prevention employees inside Target, meanwhile, were keeping watch on "two subjects in the store who were acting suspiciously," the department said.

More than an hour later, at around 11:45 a.m., two individuals exited the store, jumped in the van and attempted to drive off, but were thwarted "thanks to the quick thinking of the deputies who placed the spike strips in front of the tires," the agency said.

After a short getway try through the parking lot, as the duo realized law enforcement was on their tail, the pair tried navigating through a drive-thru and over a berm through a fence, which brought the van to a halt, followed by a short foot chase between suspects and deputies, and both were taken into custody with stolen property from Target recovered, officials said.

The suspects were booked into the Marin County Jail on multiple charges, according to the department.

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