Port Angeles police recover stolen van after pursuit

PORT ANGELES — A short pursuit Wednesday morning ended with police recovering a stolen van and the driver getting away.

An officer patrolling on the west side of Port Angeles noticed a van that looked suspicious parked at Lincoln Park and tried to talk to the driver at about 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, said Port Angeles Police Sgt. Joshua Powless.

Driver took off

That’s when the driver took off and drove possibly faster than 60 mph on Lauridsen Boulevard, occasionally leaving the road, Powless said.

The driver stopped near the intersection of 16th and F streets and “jumped out and ran,” Powless said.

Though the man escaped police, officers were able to recover the van, which was stolen from Sequim.

Powless said the owner didn’t know the van was stolen — believing it was still parked where they left it — until police called.

Police believe they know who the driver is but are still going through evidence found in the van before releasing the name, Powless said.

“Officers are going through the process of searching the vehicle, going through items to help identify the suspect,” he said.

“Once we come up with a name, we’ll get that out.”

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Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsula dailynews.com.