Physical evidence "overwhelming" in car thefts, suspect in custody

WRANGELL- After several days of serial car thefts around Wrangell a suspect is in custody at the police department.

After Wrangell Police Department discovered three missing vehicles on Tuesday, more vehicles were taken Wednesday.

“We had three or four more stolen last night,” Chief Doug McCloskey reported.

Details on the chain of events are still forthcoming, but officers pursued their suspect through town. The individual at several points changed vehicles, damaging at least one in the process. Currently down by three of its seven officers, the department had trouble keeping up in the pursuit.

“Because when you go from a vehicle to foot you go cross country, you grab another vehicle and you’re gone. It’s just really hard to keep up with the guy,” said McCloskey.

The suspect evaded capture but still turned up for an interview with police scheduled for 11 a.m. this morning. The session was regarding the previous three thefts police are currently investigating http://www.wrangellsentinel.com/story/2017/06/01/news/three-vehicles-believed-linked-in-destructive-car-thefts/5024.html.

A pickup truck reported missing on Sunday turned up worn out and abandoned off Pats Creek Road Tuesday afternoon. A car stolen from a local mechanic’s shop sometime Monday evening was reported as abandoned and burned in another resident’s yard near 6 Mile Zimovia Highway. A second pickup truck had been taken from a nearby residence and was driven to the horse track, where it was driven off the shoulder of an adjoining road. The suspect was picked up by police at the scene during the early morning hours of Tuesday, but was allowed to go home as charges were being prepared.

“He came in today for his interview from the last batch,” McCloskey said. “But the physical evidence has become overwhelming, and we have more than enough to charge him, so we’ll be charging him today.”

It was expected that the suspect would remain at the station until formally charged. Further information on the person’s identity and Wednesday evening’s events will be released at that time.