Valley Regional SWAT and Kent Police arrested a man and a woman for investigation of burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle after a wild incident Oct. 20 that included the clearing of 120 apartments at a senior housing complex.
At about 2:30 p.m., a Kent officer patrolling on West Willis Street received an alert about a stolen car, according to an Oct. 23 Kent Police statement. The vehicle had been taken in an armed carjacking Oct. 18 in Federal Way and was involved in a pursuit by Des Moines Police later that same day.
The officer located the vehicle parked at the 7-Eleven at 1400 W. Meeker St. with a passenger inside, but no driver. The officer called for backup. Upon seeing officers in the area, the passenger, a 22-year-old Olympia woman, fled into the store and then ran off with the driver into the Tri-Court Senior Living Apartments, 24510 64th Ave. S.
The suspects were seen by officers and witnesses jumping fences and trying doors while attempting to enter units, according to police. Multiple officers converged and were in foot pursuit while additional officers surrounded the complex to ensure the suspects were unable to flee the area. The suspects were running and reportedly refusing commands by pursing officers.
The fleeing man and woman entered one apartment with an open door, but quickly fled when confronted by the homeowner, according to police. They attempted to hide in a laundry room but jumped out of a window when discovered. They entered another open unit and fled just as officers approached.
Due to the hot pursuit and containment, officers knew the fleeing man and woman were now trapped inside a particular building. About this time, one officer located a discarded firearm near where the pair had first been seen in the complex.
The officers held containment and called for on-duty Valley Regional SWAT to assist in methodically clearing all 120 apartments in the building, according to police. They eventually located the man and woman in an open third-floor unit. There reportedly was evidence that the pair had been using drugs while hiding in the unit and amounts of methamphetamine and heroin were discovered post arrest. The man and woman were taken into custody without incident.
The driver, a 25-year-old Kent man, has priors in Kent for resisting arrest, obstructing, criminal trespass and fleeing from officers.
Kent detectives continue to investigate and will work with Federal Way Police regarding additional charges related to the carjacking and firearm.
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