Two teen girls - 14 and 15 years old - have been accused of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle after a police chase in Tacoma on New Year’s Day, according to a declaration filed by the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
According to the Tacoma Police Department, a third girl - 12 years old - was also in the car.
At about 8:00 p.m. on January 1, a Tacoma officer saw a speeding silver Kia Optima with heavily fogged windows on South 72nd Street.
When the officer attempted to follow, the vehicle abruptly changed lanes without signaling and made a sharp left turn onto South D Street.
Dispatch confirmed the car had been reported stolen from Kent Police Department on December 31.
The car later entered the parking lots of a 7-Eleven and Wendy’s before re-entering the road.
When the officer activated emergency lights, all occupants ran out of the car while it was still in drive.
Court documents identified the driver as the 15-year-old, who was seen wearing a purple and white hoodie before running the driver’s seat.
The two other passengers were also detained.
Officers discovered a USB cable commonly used to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles in the 14-year-old’s possession.
The Kia’s ignition showed significant damage, including a broken steering column and exposed key housing, which police noted would have been visible to anyone inside the vehicle.
The 15-year-old faces charges of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, and the 14-year-old faces charges of taking a motor vehicle without permission in the second degree.
At this time, there are no court documents for the 12-year-old.
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