FEDERAL WAY, Wash. — Car thefts continue to be a major problem in King and Pierce counties. Last year, Washington state saw the third highest number of stolen cars in the country, and the trend looks set to continue this year.
A woman who was the victim of a carjacking on Thursday had precious cargo inside and is pleading for the safe return of her little dog, Gizmo.
“I was going to get up this morning and put him out, but he wasn’t there. Hopefully I can get him back,” Carolyn Schuler said.
Schuler said he barely slept Thursday night, with Gizmo’s place in the bed empty for the first time in 11 years.
“He’s my main companion. He goes everywhere with me,” Carolyn said. “I feel so lost.”
Around 3 p.m. Thursday, he arrived at a Fred Meyer on Federal Way. Carolyn said she was only inside for 15 minutes, but that was all the time it took to drive her Toyota RAV4, with Gizmo in the back seat.
“I just started crying. The car is one thing, I’d rather have my dog back,” she said. “He doesn’t jump out of the car, so if somebody grabbed the car, he wouldn’t have jumped out. He wouldn’t have jumped out of the car, it’s damaged. I pick him up and put him in and that’s it.”
Car thefts are a major problem throughout the state. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Washington saw the third-highest number of car thefts in 2022. At one point, police saw an average of 81 stolen cars per day in Pierce and King counties.
Sgt. Charles Porche, who speaks for the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force, said that between January and March 2023, thieves have stolen 6,880 cars. In the same time period last year, it says 7,002 cars were stolen.
“Pretty stagnant in King and Pierce County. They’re not making a drastic increase, and they’re certainly not decreasing much,” Porche explained.
“Unfortunately, a few cars that have been stolen with children inside and it’s simply because they’re not looking for it. They intend to take the car, so they get in as fast as they can and get out of the immediate area without looking in the back seat,” Porche said.
Porche also noted that state stalking laws keep police hands tied. Property crimes do not warrant a pursuit, so unless the police suspect a DUI or violent crime, the police cannot follow if the suspect drives away. Carolyn said she didn’t care about getting the car back, she just wants to see her Gizmo again.
“My phone number and my daughter’s phone number are on the tag. Just call me, no questions asked. Or leave it with someone and have them call me. Just don’t hurt him and don’t let him run Carolyn begged.
Carolyn says they plan to put Gizmo’s picture on posters all along Federal Way. It also has a microchip.
Police say using steering wheel locks and other anti-theft devices, not leaving your car running, hiding your valuables and locking your doors are the best defenses against becoming a car theft victim.
