A man was placed under arrest by Seattle Police while they were in the process of recovering a stolen vehicle in West Seattle, with the added discovery of a stolen firearm inside the car. According to information released on the Seattle Police Blotter, the incident unfolded on the evening of June 20th when patrol officers were notified of the presence of a stolen car, previously reported by the Tukwila Police Department.

In their operation, police were able to locate the vehicle, which was occupied at the time, and execute a high-risk traffic stop near the 2400 block of Southwest Webster Street. The individual in the car tried to quickly flee the scene, but the vehicle stalled, impeding his escape. He was subsequently apprehended by officers as he attempted to exit through the driver’s side door.

Alongside the stolen vehicle, Seattle police officers discovered multiple stolen bank cards. An empty holster was found on the suspect, while a loaded, stolen firearm was retrieved from inside the vehicle, adding a serious dimension to the already illegal act of vehicle theft. The 39-year-old suspect, identified as a convicted felon, which precludes him from firearm possession, was booked into the King County Jail. He faces charges for both possession of the stolen vehicle and stolen property.

The case hasn't come to its conclusion; additional charges may yet be applied. Detectives with Seattle Police Department's General Investigations Unit have since been assigned to conduct a further deep dive into the circumstances surrounding these infractions and analyze the evidence collected during the arrest. The ongoing investigation promises to more fully illuminate the saga of a single evening's disturbed peace in West Seattle — a narrative stitched into the larger fabric of a city grappling daily with the impacts of crime.