This week, Tukwila Police officers successfully recovered an electric wheelchair that was stolen along with a vehicle from a resident of the SHAG senior housing complex.
The theft left the victim, who relies on the wheelchair for mobility, stranded after the wheelchair, which was attached to a custom hitch on the stolen car, was stolen.
The wheelchair was located abandoned in the 15600 block of Nelson Place (map below).
According to police, the thieves cut the hitch and discarded the chair, causing severe damage to the wiring and mechanisms used to raise and lower it.
Despite the damage, officers worked together to recover the wheelchair and return it to its owner. Due to the weight of the electric wheelchair, the operation required extra assistance.
“Thankfully our internationally-ranked strongman and in-house personal trainer Officer Madriaga was available to assist,” police said in a statement. “Officer Madriaga recently dead-lifted 700lbs and assisted officers with proper positioning and mechanics to safely lift the wheelchair in and out of our Tukwila PD truck to deliver back to its rightful owner.”
