Auto theft suspect saves police trouble, drives to WSP headquarters in Bellevue

The Washington State Patrol didn't have to look far to find a car theft suspect, the 36-year-old man allegedly arriving at WSP headquarters in Bellevue in the stolen vehicle Wednesday, where he was quickly arrested.

By Brandon Macz • March 19, 2015 4:15 pm
A 36-year-old car theft suspect was arrested by state troopers at the Washington State Patrol's Bellevue headquarters on Wednesday. The man had gone there to pick up belongings from a previous arrest
A 36-year-old car theft suspect was arrested by state troopers at the Washington State Patrol's Bellevue headquarters on Wednesday. The man had gone there to pick up belongings from a previous arrest

The Washington State Patrol didn’t have to look far to find a car theft suspect, the 36-year-old man allegedly arriving at WSP headquarters in Bellevue in the stolen vehicle Wednesday, where he was quickly arrested.

Micah S. Hatcher was reported driving around Issaquah in a stolen vehicle by a witness Wednesday, who recognized the car from a posting on a European motorist Facebook club, according to WSP. The witness used his cellphone to contact law enforcement, then proceeded to follow Hatcher as he headed toward Bellevue on Interstate 90 — taking video of Hatcher in the stolen car, according to a news release.

“Apparently there was some sticker on the car that really set it off,” said Trooper Chris Webb. “The witness actually called 9-1-1 or our dispatch center and followed the guy, who came right into our office.”

Hatcher was arrested on drug charges and outstanding warrants on Sunday, and had gone to the state patrol’s headquarters in Bellevue to retrieve belongings from WSP’s evidence locker, Webb said. Detectives are putting down the auto theft arrest as the easiest they’ve ever made.