High Gas Prices Prompt Would-Be Car Thief to Ditch Vehicle?

Early Thursday morning car theft gets suspect arrested. Image includes neighborhood where vehicle was taken from.

4 AM car theft broken up by Police

Kennewick Police responded to the 3900 block of West 20th Ave. in the early morning hours for a report that a vehicle had been stolen.

No word if it had been left running, but the victim told Police the suspect drove off from their home.

A few moments later, it was spotted at a nearby gas station, but the suspect drove away without getting any fuel. As the tracking and pursuit continued, officers saw the vehicle at another gas station, but this time the perp abandoned it without getting gas and was running away on foot.

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Several KPD units converged on the area, and the suspect was captured without incident. No ID was given about the suspect, and the vehicle was returned to its legal owner.

  Perhaps gas prices 'encouraged' perp to ditch vehicle?

Purely hypothetical, but given the suspect's behavior with the vehicle, wondering if they saw the gas prices at the first station and decided to look elsewhere before then abandoning it. Should have used Gas Buddy!

The good news is the person got their car back undamaged.