The Burien CARES Animal Control van was carjacked early Tuesday morning, Feb. 4, 2020, at about 4:30 a.m., then recovered later that morning due to social media.
Police say that an employee of Burien CARES was warming up the company van outside the organization’s office at 909 SW 151st Street, when an unknown male walked up to the driver’s side of the vehicle.
The man pushed the employee to the side, causing him to fall down, then got into the running van and drove off westbound on SW 151st Street.
Later, at 9:40 a.m., the van was found unoccupied near S. 112th Street and 2nd Ave S. and recovered by deputies.
The suspected carjacker was not found, and it is unknown if any animals were inside the van at the time.
CARES said this about the carjacking on Facebook:
“Thanks to our amazing Facebook supporters, the van has been found and is being checked now for fingerprints. The person who jacked it stole the keys and it will take another two weeks to get a replacement sent by the dealership. See below for additional updates:
“Guys, we drove out to the address Jonnie Smith posted and found the van. The cops drove by twice and didn’t even stop – and then said they didn’t see it and it had moved….thankfully we have concerned citizens like you because – and I hate to say this – the cops didn’t even realize it was the van until we called them out while standing there outside of the house. License plate on full display and the exact address we gave them. COME ON. Anyway, thank you Jonnie Smith because you saved the day!”
REMINDER: Burien C.A.R.E.S. ‘Open Bite Night’ fundraiser will be held this Saturday night. Feb. 8, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Burien Elks Lodge.
Get your tickets here: https://www.buriencares.org/open-bite-nite-2020-tickets.
