Three girls, one 12, arrested for driving around in a stolen Kia in Tacoma’s South End
Three girls, including a 12-year-old, were arrested after they were allegedly caught driving around in a stolen car in Tacoma’s South End, Tacoma police said.
The suspects were observed by police to be driving suspiciously in a Kia Optima at about 8 p.m. on New Year’s Day, according to police spokesperson Detective William Muse.
Two of the girls were charged Thursday in connection to the alleged theft, according to charging papers in Pierce County Juvenile Court. The vehicle was determined to have been marked stolen from Kent on Tuesday.
A 15-year-old girl, identified as the driver, was charged with unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, court records show. A 14-year-old passenger was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission, and court documents indicate that prosecutors sought an identical charge against the 12-year-old passenger. She is expected to be arraigned Jan. 16, according to the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
An officer saw the vehicle on South 72nd Street, speeding in the right lane and passing other motorists on the right side, charging papers said. As the officer got closer, the Kia quickly changed to the left lane without signaling and abruptly turned left in front of another vehicle onto South D Street.
The Kia entered a 7-Eleven parking lot near Portland Avenue and 72nd Street and then a Wendy’s parking lot in the 1400 block of 72nd Street, according to court records. After the pursuing officer activated their patrol vehicle’s emergency lights, the three girls exited the Kia.
The two passengers were immediately detained and the driver was later identified. The 14-year-old girl was allegedly in possession of a USB cable, charging papers said.
USB cables have been used to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles across the United States, according to news reports, as part of a trend over the past few years of young people learning on social media how to commit car thefts.
The officer who pursued the stolen vehicle reported extensive damage to its steering column, which had allegedly been changed from its original factory setting.
After they were apprehended, the two teens were taken to Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center and the 12-year-old was returned to family in Auburn, Muse said.
Fox 13 first reported about the arrests.
This story was originally published January 3, 2025 at 12:09 PM.
