Three people, two of whom were identified as teenagers, tried to steal a vehicle warming up in the driveway of a Vancouver residence early Thursday morning, but the owner pulled one of them from the driver seat and fought with him, police said.
Shortly after 3 a.m., officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of East 13th Street for what was reported as a disturbance with a gun, according to Vancouver Police Department spokeswoman Kim Kapp.
A victim told police three men tried to steal his car, which was warming up in his driveway. The victim pulled a man from the driver’s seat as the car was in reverse while two others watched from across the street, police said.
“The victim fought with the suspect while his vehicle rolled down the street and came to rest against a telephone pole,” police said. There was reportedly no damage to the car or pole.
One of teenagers who was watching the altercation unfold pulled out a handgun and fired off three shots, police said. The victim feared he would be shot and stopped fighting, and the group fled westbound on 13th.
Two of the suspects were located and detained near 13th Street and Grand Boulevard. Both were later arrested. Police said the suspects were two 17-year-olds and did not provide their names.
One teen was arrested on suspicion of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm and criminal conspiracy (theft of a vehicle). The other teen faces a potential charge of criminal conspiracy (theft of a vehicle), police said.
Officers were unable to find the third suspect.
Kapp said the incident was a good reminder that people should not leave their vehicles running and unattended to warm them up in cold weather. It’s an easy way for car thieves to spot and steal vehicles, Kapp said.
“Fortunately in this incident there were no injuries,” she said.
