During the past week, the Yakima Police Department (YPD) received numerous calls from community members complaining of someone stealing packages in Yakima and Union Gap. The YPD initiated an investigation and identified a 33-year-old Yakima woman as the suspect. Further investigative evidence led officers to believe the suspect was driving a stolen car during the commission of her crimes.
On Monday (December 6th) afternoon, a YPD Property Crimes Unit detective spotted the suspect and the stolen car in the area of 14 South 11th Avenue. A pursuit was initiated and quickly terminated after the suspect fled in the vehicle. Around 9:30 pm Monday, Yakima police officers again spotted the stolen car and the female suspect. Another pursuit was initiated and quickly terminated when the suspect fled in the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, the stolen vehicle was found abandoned in the area of the 10 block of South 14th Avenue. The female suspect was found hiding after a community member called in a suspicious person hiding in the area near a dumpster.
During the apprehension of the suspect, officers discovered shaved keys and over 12 debit/credit cards, which are believed to be stolen. None of the credit cards belonged to the suspect.
The stolen vehicle, a 1997 Honda Accord, was towed to YPD and detectives are working on a search warrant to retrieve numerous items in the back seat that were possibly stolen.
The female was booked into the Yakima County Jail for two counts of eluding, possession of a stolen vehicle, and possession of stolen property 2nd degree.
“We anticipate more charges following the search warrant on the vehicle,” said YPD Captain Jay Seely. “This suspect has an extensive criminal history involving theft. I can’t think of too many things more frustrating than a package thief, especially around this time of year,” said Seely.
Anyone with information that may be relevant to this case is urged to contact the YPD at 509- 575-6200 or by calling 9-1-1. Tips can be also be reported to Yakima County Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-248-9980, on the organization’s website at www.crimestoppersyakco.org, or through the “P3 Tips” app at http://p3intel.com/mobileapp.htm that can be downloaded for free.