Three people riding in the same vehicle were booked into jail for separate alleged crimes after a shoplifting investigation took an unexpected turn in Tukwila, police said.
Officers were initially called to a store at a Tukwila mall after a reported shoplifting. The suspect had left in a vehicle before police arrived, according to the Tukwila Police Department.
Detective Mosley located the vehicle on West Valley Highway and conducted a traffic stop. Police said a passenger was positively identified as the shoplifting suspect and taken into custody.
Mosley recognized the driver from previous encounters and knew the person had been barred from the mall, according to police. Officers also determined that the driver had a suspended license.
The driver and the alleged shoplifting suspect were booked into jail.
A second passenger did not have a valid driver’s license and remained with the vehicle while waiting for its owner to arrive and retrieve it, police said.
After the owner arrived, the passenger allegedly began assaulting the owner. Officers returned to the scene, arrested the passenger on suspicion of fourth degree assault and booked her into jail.
Police did not release the names of the three people or provide information about the store, the property allegedly taken or possible injuries.
