A news release late today from Brian Smith, Port Angeles deputy police chief:
ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2012, the Port Angeles Police Department received a report from the owner of the Ruddell Auto Mall, at 110 Golf Course Road, regarding a black 2010 Scion xB van that appeared to have been stolen earlier in the morning or sometime during the previous evening.
At the same time, the Clallam County Sheriff’s Dept. was investigating a reported abandoned vehicle of the same description on Place Road, just west of Port Angeles.
Deputies subsequently recovered the stolen vehicle and found it to be missing some engine parts, the wheels, most of the interior parts, and the seats.
Subsequent investigation indicates that at approximately 7:35 PM on November 4, a suspect broke the window of the vehicle and removed the “lock” box.
Approximately two hours later the suspect returned (presumably with the keys) and drove the car away.
The vehicle towed back to the dealership on November 5. On November 6, investigators recovered the vehicle’s seats at a location on the Lower Elwha Reservation.
The Port Angeles Police Department is working the case jointly with the Lower Elwha Tribal Police and the Clallam County Sheriff’s Department. Officers are viewing and analyzing available video from the auto dealer, from surrounding businesses, and from other organizations.
Law enforcement asks for auto dealers to be vigilant and take steps to protect vehicles on their lots.
It has been noted an alert went out to area auto dealers and some dealers have made immediate changes in their security procedures.
Police also ask dealers to be on alert for parts that may be related to this theft. The VIN of the vehicle is: JTLZE4FE4A1105336.
The vehicle is pictured [at the left], and the wheels have yet to be recovered.
Any information related to this crime should be reported to Port Angeles Police Department at 360-452-4545.
Persons with information can also call the North Olympic Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information that leads to a felony arrest and parties can remain anonymous.
