Two men were arrested last week in connection with multiple stolen cars and stolen guns, according to the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded Oct. 19 to the 3500 block of Northeast 54th Street for reports of a parked vehicle with no license plates. Deputies were familiar with the location because of previous stolen vehicle reports, according to an agency news release.
Deputies have observed stolen cars in the area on multiple occasions and tried to pull over the drivers, but the drivers have sped off. Under state law, deputies can’t pursue a suspect under that circumstance, the sheriff’s office said.
When deputies arrived last week, they found a vehicle that was reported stolen and identified the occupant as Ryan Smith, 42, the news release states. Deputies spotted another suspect, but he ran away.
Deputies chased the man and arrested him. He was identified as Jacob Fitzgerald, 22, the sheriff’s office said. Fitzgerald had five outstanding warrants for his arrest from Washington and Multnomah counties in Oregon.
Investigators located two stolen vehicles. While searching one of the cars, deputies found two guns, one of which was reported stolen from California. The other gun’s serial number was obliterated; it had a 30-round extended magazine, according to the news release.
Smith was booked into the Clark County Jail on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, unlawful firearm possession and possession of a stolen firearm. Fitzgerald was booked on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle and resisting arrest, in addition to his outstanding warrants, the news release states.
Both vehicles were returned to their owners, the sheriff’s office said.
