Car Thief In SR 16 Rollover Crash Sought By State Patrol

PORT ORCHARD, WA - Washington State Patrol troopers are trying to track down two suspects who may be connected to a vehicle theft and subsequent crash along SR 16 on Dec. 4. One suspect allegedly stole a Dodge Ram in Port Orchard and then crashed along SR 16 near Sedgewick Road. Witnesses then saw the suspect get into a nearby car, fleeing the scene.

The crash happened around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 4 and caused long delays along eastbound SR 16. The truck was hauling a Bobcat excavator. Troopers believe the crash was caused by uneven weight distribution due to the trailer. No one else was involved in the SR 16 crash.

About 40 minutes before the crash, a surveillance camera picked up images of someone stealing the truck from a Port Orchard neighborhood. The car thief had an accomplice who was driving a red four-door sedan, possibly a Volvo.

Crash witnesses described the man getting into a similar car, possibly driven by a woman.

If you saw the crash or know anything about the car theft, contact Washington State Patrol trooper Christine Kearsing at 360-473-0300.

Images courtesy Washington State Patrol