SEQUIM – Sequim police ended a crime spree late last week by arresting one of two suspects. The other suspect is believed to have fled the area in a stolen vehicle.
On Thursday, May 5, Sequim Police Officers responded to a series of crimes that were determined to be related, including the theft of three vehicles and the attempted theft of another.
33-year-old Joanie Squires was arrested around 5:00 p.m. after fleeing from police in one stolen vehicle. Her male accomplice, still unnamed, is still being sought.
The investigation has shown that Squires and her accomplice are believed to have arrived in Sequim in a pickup truck they stole in the Fife area. That truck was spotted near Rhodefer Road, where they allegedly stole power tools from another truck parked in the area.
A short time later they are believed to have stolen a green pickup from an apartment building, drove it to a business on 9th Avenue, where the male attempted to steal another vehicle, but was unsuccessful.
Minutes later the stolen green truck was dropped off at a business on Washington Street and the suspect stole a second vehicle, later found abandoned.
Later in the day, as officers were investigating a third truck theft on Bell Street, they saw the stolen orange truck, being driven by Spires, and the other stolen pickup, driven by her accomplice, but due to recent changes in law, officers are prohibited from pursuing vehicles for any of the crimes the pair had committed so far. Both suspects drove away recklessly and officers had to let them go.
The male suspect hit another car on Washington and kept going. The truck driven by Spires left the roadway on 7th Avenue and became high centered on a large rock. Officers arrived on scene and she was arrested.
The other stolen truck was found abandoned in Mason County Friday morning. The 32-year-old male suspect is believed to have been identified and is still at large.
Both suspects are believed to be from the Tacoma area.
UPDATE:—Sequim Police were able to identify David Brown (age 32) of Lakewood, as the second suspect in this incident. Probable Cause was issued for his arrest, and he was located by Washington State Patrol Troopers in Jefferson County on Sunday, May 8 and arrested. Brown was transported to the Jefferson Health Care/ Medical Center to be evaluated and cleared for incarceration. Sequim Police went to the hospital while awaiting his release. While at the hospital Brown attempted to flee but was stopped by police before he could escape the facility. Once cleared medically, Sequim Police transported Brown to the Clallam County Correctional Facility where he was booked into custody. Brown is scheduled to appear in Clallam County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon.