Washington police say suspect’s key mistakes thwart truck theft

Bad moves thwart Washington truck heist

RENTON, Wash. — Truck theft diary: — Take silver 1985 Chevy truck from City Transfer yard in Sumner, Wash., early Monday morning. Helpfully fill it with unleaded gasoline. Fail to notice it requires diesel.

— Call 911 for assistance when truck stalls shortly after noon Monday on State Route 167 in Renton area. Grab green reflector vest found in truck so as to appear to be actual City Transfer employee when help arrives.

— Have the misfortune to have a REAL City Transfer employee drive by and report location of stalled, stolen truck to police.

— Watch Washington State Patrol troopers arrive. Watch a real City Transfer employee who witnessed the theft arrive and describe the man he saw take the truck.

State Trooper Dan McDonald said Tuesday that a 19-year-old Tacoma man was booked into the King County Jail for investigation of auto theft. The truck was released to City Transfer.