The Spotlight: Local wave of car thefts fueled by viral online videos
A hotwire how-to that has prompted the theft of thousands of Hyundais and Kias is leading to a skyrocketing trend in violent crime. Now, local leaders are taking dramatic steps to stop this social media sensation and hold car manufacturers responsible for the design flaw that makes their cars, too simple to steal.
A hotwire how-to that has prompted the theft of thousands of Hyundais and Kias is leading to a skyrocketing trend in violent crime. Now, local leaders are taking dramatic steps to stop this social media sensation and hold car manufacturers responsible for the design flaw that makes their cars, too simple to steal.
'B****, I swear, b****, I’m gonna crack your phone:' Drive-by shooting suspect says to Tacoma woman
Tacoma Police are asking for your help to identify these suspects in a stolen Kia. "They shot into an occupied residence. Thankfully, no one was struck by these bullets, but we are trying to identify them, so they can be taken into custody," said Officer Wendy Haddow about the incident on Dec. 28, 2022.
Tacoma Police are asking for your help to identify these suspects in a stolen Kia. "They shot into an occupied residence. Thankfully, no one was struck by these bullets, but we are trying to identify them, so they can be taken into custody," said Officer Wendy Haddow about the incident on Dec. 28, 2022.
'B****, I swear, b****, I?m gonna crack your phone:' Drive-by shooting suspect says to Tacoma woman
Tacoma Police are asking for your help to identify these suspects in a stolen Kia. ?They shot into an occupied residence. Thankfully, no one was struck by these bullets but we are trying to identify them so they can be taken into custody,? said Officer Wendy Haddow about the incident on Dec. 28, 2022. Since the start of 2023, more than 216 Kias and Hyundais have been reported stolen in the Tacoma and Pierce County area. Many of them have been used in violent crimes including armed robberies, drive-by shootings, and joyriding on city streets at high rates of speed.
Tacoma Police are asking for your help to identify these suspects in a stolen Kia. ?They shot into an occupied residence. Thankfully, no one was struck by these bullets but we are trying to identify them so they can be taken into custody,? said Officer Wendy Haddow about the incident on Dec. 28, 2022. Since the start of 2023, more than 216 Kias and Hyundais have been reported stolen in the Tacoma and Pierce County area. Many of them have been used in violent crimes including armed robberies, drive-by shootings, and joyriding on city streets at high rates of speed.
Kia Boyz TikTok Challenge: Pierce County warns public after robbery suspects fled in stolen Kia
Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help to identify two robbery suspects who threatened a store employee with a taser.
Pierce County Sheriff’s deputies are asking for the public’s help to identify two robbery suspects who threatened a store employee with a taser.
TikTok Kia Boyz: Pierce County warns public after robbery suspects fled in stolen Kia
Pierce County Sheriff?s deputies are asking for the public?s help to identify two robbery suspects who threatened a store employee with a taser.
Pierce County Sheriff?s deputies are asking for the public?s help to identify two robbery suspects who threatened a store employee with a taser.
The Spotlight: TikTok Kia Boyz
Law enforcement says TikTok videos showing people how to steal Kias and Hyundais using USBs are driving a trend in violent crimes locally. Police say the cars are typically being stolen by juveniles and are being used to commit other crimes, like robberies and drive-by shootings.
Law enforcement says TikTok videos showing people how to steal Kias and Hyundais using USBs are driving a trend in violent crimes locally. Police say the cars are typically being stolen by juveniles and are being used to commit other crimes, like robberies and drive-by shootings.
Tess Babauta: Woman sentenced to 41 months in prison for robbing Bonney Lake mobile phone store
Tess Babauta was sentenced to 41 months in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to Robbery 1st Degree. She robbed the Metro PCS store in Bonney Lake in December of 2021. Babauta was not a fan of The Spotlight's coverage. Detectives say she was recorded on a jail call asking a friend to play the story for her, saying: "I just want to hear what David Rose is saying about me because he is a f****** punk a** dumb a** b*****."
Tess Babauta was sentenced to 41 months in prison on Tuesday after pleading guilty to Robbery 1st Degree. She robbed the Metro PCS store in Bonney Lake in December of 2021. Babauta was not a fan of The Spotlight's coverage. Detectives say she was recorded on a jail call asking a friend to play the story for her, saying: "I just want to hear what David Rose is saying about me because he is a f****** punk a** dumb a** b*****."
King County struggles to balance prosecuting teens and protecting communities
The Spotlight's David Rose talks with Jimmy Hung, the chief deputy prosecutor for King County's Juvenile Division. David asks about the recent trend in teen violence, and where the line is between punishing crimes and handicapping these kids' futures.
The Spotlight's David Rose talks with Jimmy Hung, the chief deputy prosecutor for King County's Juvenile Division. David asks about the recent trend in teen violence, and where the line is between punishing crimes and handicapping these kids' futures.
Nonprofit director says 'education, not incarceration' the solution to spike in teen crime
The Spotlight's David Rose talks with Sean Goode, the executive director of Choose 180. It's a nonprofit that aims to help youths change their trajectory and rise above what they call the "school-to-prison pipeline." David asks what we can do about the recent spate of teen violence in the Puget Sound area, and what we can do to get these kids on the right track.
The Spotlight's David Rose talks with Sean Goode, the executive director of Choose 180. It's a nonprofit that aims to help youths change their trajectory and rise above what they call the "school-to-prison pipeline." David asks what we can do about the recent spate of teen violence in the Puget Sound area, and what we can do to get these kids on the right track.
Police call recent teen violence 'interpersonal conflict,' gang expert says call it what it is
The Spotlight's David Rose sits down with gang specialist and former corrections officer Gabriel Morales, who's worked at the King County Jail for 25 years and as an instructor at the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center for another 20 years. They're talking about "the G-word??gangs?which Morales says Tacoma Police refuse to talk about when investigating the recent spate of teen violence, instead calling it "interpersonal conflict."
The Spotlight's David Rose sits down with gang specialist and former corrections officer Gabriel Morales, who's worked at the King County Jail for 25 years and as an instructor at the Washington Criminal Justice Training Center for another 20 years. They're talking about "the G-word??gangs?which Morales says Tacoma Police refuse to talk about when investigating the recent spate of teen violence, instead calling it "interpersonal conflict."
Body cam video: Cars vandalized after teen rampage, 5 arrested and then released
Pierce County Sheriff's deputies are gathering evidence after five teens shattered the windshields of cars in the parking lot of an Edgewood apartment complex.
Pierce County Sheriff's deputies are gathering evidence after five teens shattered the windshields of cars in the parking lot of an Edgewood apartment complex.
The Spotlight: Kid criminals - children as young as 12 committing violent felony crimes
Children as young as 12 years old are committing violent felony crimes with disturbing frequency. And yet, the data would suggest a different story, a dramatic drop in the number of youth offenders arrested, and even fewer actually facing a judge. What's really going on? FOX 13 is shining the spotlight on the juvenile justice system.
Children as young as 12 years old are committing violent felony crimes with disturbing frequency. And yet, the data would suggest a different story, a dramatic drop in the number of youth offenders arrested, and even fewer actually facing a judge. What's really going on? FOX 13 is shining the spotlight on the juvenile justice system.
Wild police chase: Video shows pursuit of three 15-year-olds accused of armed carjacking in Washington
Video from a King County Sheriff's helicopter captured a wild police chase of three 15-year-olds accused in an armed carjacking. The suspects are seen on video in a smoking Dodge Charger trying to escape Bellevue, Washington Police.
Video from a King County Sheriff's helicopter captured a wild police chase of three 15-year-olds accused in an armed carjacking. The suspects are seen on video in a smoking Dodge Charger trying to escape Bellevue, Washington Police.
Effort to roll back changes to police pursuit laws in Washington state
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime.
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime.
Effort to roll back changes to police pursuit laws in Washington state
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. However, simply seeing someone driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them.
As it stands now, the law prohibits officers from pursuing car theft suspects unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. However, simply seeing someone driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them.
The Spotlight: Pursuing Solutions
2023 is already off to the races courtesy of Dvante Jackson and a stolen late model luxury SUV. Prosecutors say Jackson tried to run over a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy. Another risked his life to lay down spike strips to try to stop him. It took the Washington State Patrol’s aerial surveillance plane and a K-9 team to finally track down Jackson who was hiding in the muddy woods after he crashed the stolen SUV and took off on foot. The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force says there were 45,033 vehicles reported stolen in Washington state in 2022, a 78 percent increase over the last 15 years. An average of 78 vehicles are stolen every day just in Pierce and King County. Why are so many cars and trucks being stolen? Thieves feel emboldened because of the police reform laws that went into effect in 2021 that prohibit officers from pursuing them unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. Simply seeing them driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them. The suspect can simply speed away. Prior to 2021, they could detain people based on reasonable suspicion that they committed a crime which is a lower evidentiary level of proof. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. So, what’s the solution?
2023 is already off to the races courtesy of Dvante Jackson and a stolen late model luxury SUV. Prosecutors say Jackson tried to run over a Pierce County Sheriff’s deputy. Another risked his life to lay down spike strips to try to stop him. It took the Washington State Patrol’s aerial surveillance plane and a K-9 team to finally track down Jackson who was hiding in the muddy woods after he crashed the stolen SUV and took off on foot. The Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force says there were 45,033 vehicles reported stolen in Washington state in 2022, a 78 percent increase over the last 15 years. An average of 78 vehicles are stolen every day just in Pierce and King County. Why are so many cars and trucks being stolen? Thieves feel emboldened because of the police reform laws that went into effect in 2021 that prohibit officers from pursuing them unless they have established probable cause that they committed a crime. Simply seeing them driving a stolen car does not meet the standard for using force to stop them. The suspect can simply speed away. Prior to 2021, they could detain people based on reasonable suspicion that they committed a crime which is a lower evidentiary level of proof. If police witness a suspect commit a violent crime and then that suspect speeds away, they can pursue if the person is deemed dangerous enough. So, what’s the solution?
'It’s time to stand up and fight for our city:' Business owner's call to action for Seattle
Beacon Plumbing and Mechanical owner Bill Cahill says he is calling on other business owners and citizens to get involved public safety issues. Cahill says he is a big supporter of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s work so far but believes other local and state elected leaders are not making good decisions for the community as a whole. He believes the legislature went too far in enacting police reform laws that took away the authority officers had to pursue suspects in stolen vehicles. “I’m frustrated. This isn’t the city I grew up in. This is where my 6 children live. This is where my 10 grandchildren live. I love it here. It’s home. Always has been always will be, but we need to make some changes. I had a vehicle that was stolen. I saw a police officer from the city of Seattle and said, ‘Would you please help me to get my truck back?’ He says, ‘I have to stand down. We can’t get in a high speed chase’. I was in that high speed chase. Why am I doing the job for the Seattle Police Department? Our government here in Washington state needs to go against the grain because these officers have been told to stand down. I think we’ve had enough of it. It’s time to stand up and make a fight out of it for our city. Let police officers do their jobs,” said Cahill.
Beacon Plumbing and Mechanical owner Bill Cahill says he is calling on other business owners and citizens to get involved public safety issues. Cahill says he is a big supporter of Mayor Bruce Harrell’s work so far but believes other local and state elected leaders are not making good decisions for the community as a whole. He believes the legislature went too far in enacting police reform laws that took away the authority officers had to pursue suspects in stolen vehicles. “I’m frustrated. This isn’t the city I grew up in. This is where my 6 children live. This is where my 10 grandchildren live. I love it here. It’s home. Always has been always will be, but we need to make some changes. I had a vehicle that was stolen. I saw a police officer from the city of Seattle and said, ‘Would you please help me to get my truck back?’ He says, ‘I have to stand down. We can’t get in a high speed chase’. I was in that high speed chase. Why am I doing the job for the Seattle Police Department? Our government here in Washington state needs to go against the grain because these officers have been told to stand down. I think we’ve had enough of it. It’s time to stand up and make a fight out of it for our city. Let police officers do their jobs,” said Cahill.
Update on crime in Pierce County: Jail reopens to bookings for property crimes
Sgt. Darren Moss with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department spoke with FOX 13's David Rose to give an update on the state of crime in the county.
Sgt. Darren Moss with the Pierce County Sheriff's Department spoke with FOX 13's David Rose to give an update on the state of crime in the county.
The Spotlight: 2022 sets records for shootings, thefts, drugs and death
The Spotlight may sound like a broken record because in 2022 so many records have been broken. Record numbers of shootings, thefts, drugs and deaths. All this data is collected on crime dashboards and, like a car that's been neglected, the warning lights on these dashboards have been flashing for months. Tacoma, Washington had 39 homicides as of Dec. 4, the city's deadliest year in four decades. Violence hit a new high in Seattle too. Shootings and shots fired calls are up 144% in Seattle in the last ten years.
The Spotlight may sound like a broken record because in 2022 so many records have been broken. Record numbers of shootings, thefts, drugs and deaths. All this data is collected on crime dashboards and, like a car that's been neglected, the warning lights on these dashboards have been flashing for months. Tacoma, Washington had 39 homicides as of Dec. 4, the city's deadliest year in four decades. Violence hit a new high in Seattle too. Shootings and shots fired calls are up 144% in Seattle in the last ten years.
Suspect charged in deadly hit and run after King Co. Council budgets $50K reward to crack the case
A man has now been charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run after a tipster contacted Seattle Police and Crime Stoppers with knowledge of the crime. The victim's family said a $50,000 reward budgeted from the King County Council helped incentivize people to come forward.
A man has now been charged with vehicular homicide and hit-and-run after a tipster contacted Seattle Police and Crime Stoppers with knowledge of the crime. The victim's family said a $50,000 reward budgeted from the King County Council helped incentivize people to come forward.