On Thursday May 5th Sequim Police Officers responded to a series of crimes that were determined to be related. The crimes included the theft of three vehicles, attempted theft of a motor vehicle, vehicle prowl, and theft. Joanie Squires (age 33) was arrested at approximately 5:00 p.m. after fleeing from police in a stolen vehicle. A male accomplice fled in a second stolen vehicle and is still at large and believed to be out of the area.
The investigation has shown that Squires and her male accomplice are believed to have arrived in Sequim in an orange pickup truck that had been stolen in the Fife area.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. that vehicle was seen in the area of South Rhodefer Road, where they allegedly stole power tools from another vehicle parked in the area. A short time later they are believed to have stolen a green pickup from an apartment building on Sunnyside Avenue. That vehicle was driven to a business on South 9th Avenue at about 10:30 a.m. where surveillance shows the male attempting to steal another vehicle, however he was unsuccessful. Minutes later the stolen green truck was driven to a business in the 700 block of West Washington Street where it was left and the suspect stole a second vehicle, which was later found abandoned several blocks away.
At approximately 4:45 p.m. a third incident of a vehicle theft was reported in the 200 block of West Bell Street, where a silver GMC pickup was stolen
A short time later Officers saw the stolen orange truck, driven by Spires, in the 1100 block of West Washington Street. Officers attempted to stop the vehicle and it fled. At this same time the stolen silver GMC pickup, driven by the accomplice, was also seen driving in this same area and it fled from officers as well. Due to recent changes in law, officers are prohibited from pursuing vehicles for any of the numerous crimes already committed in this incident. Officers discontinued following the two vehicles as they both fled eastbound on West Washington Street, driving recklessly and into oncoming traffic.
The stolen silver GMC struck a motorist in the 700 block of West Washington Street and continued eastbound with the stolen orange truck, driven by Spires, following. The motorist who was struck was uninjured. The vehicles turned into a parking lot in the 600 block of West Washington Street where the silver truck briefly became high centered on a median. A Sequim Police Officer arrived on scene and ordered the male out of the vehicle, but the male was able to dislodge the truck and fled again, driving over landscaping, behind businesses and left the area as officers still could not lawfully pursue. At this same time the orange truck left the parking lot and drove north on North7th Avenue where it left the roadway and became high centered on a large rock. Officers arrived on scene before Spires was able to drive away and she was arrested.
Evidence of the previous thefts and stolen vehicles were found in the truck Squires was arrested in. The stolen silver GMC was found abandoned in Mason County this morning, Friday May 6th. The suspect is believed to have been identified and is still at large. Additional investigation continues at this time and if not located an arrest warrant will be requested for the 32-year-old coconspirator.
Joanie Squires was booked into the Clallam County Correctional Facility on charges of Attempt to Elude a Police vehicle and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (both felonies). As well as charges of DUI and Possession of Motor Vehicle Theft Tools. As the investigation continues additional charges are likely to be added. Both suspects are believed to be from the Tacoma area.
Original source can be found here.
