Bad Luck Bandit’ runs out of gas

Dee Riggs
World staff writer

Thursday, July 15, 2010

WENATCHEE — It helps to have a full tank of gas when driving away from the scene of a crime, a Tacoma man discovered Wednesday afternoon.

The man, dubbed by Wenatchee police as the Bad Luck Bandit, ran out of gas as he was leaving a store where Native American collectibles were stolen. 

Police, who had been alerted to the thefts by the store owner, arrested the 47-year-old suspect after he fled on foot from his car, which stalled 50 feet from its original parking spot, said Sgt. John Kruse, a Wenatchee Police Department spokesman.

The incident happened about 3:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 800 block of South Wenatchee Avenue, Kruse said. The man is suspected of stealing several Native American collectibles, which were on display at the Discount Center, 807 S. Wenatchee Ave. 

At the time of his arrest, the man also was in possession of several necklaces that were stolen from the Antique Mall in downtown Wenatchee, Kruse said. He also is suspected of stealing a beaded Native American ceremonial garment with a price tag on it for $10,500. Kruse said officers do not know where that garment came from. 

Anyone with information about the suspect or items he may have in his possession is asked to contact Detective Jeff Ward at the Wenatchee Police Department, 888-4210. 

The man was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on suspicion of first-degree theft.