Two teens arrested in attempted carjacking in Battle Ground

Two 17-year-old boys were arrested and another suspect remains at large in connection with an attempted armed carjacking Wednesday night in Battle Ground.

Battle Ground police responded at about 10 p.m. to the area of Southeast Clark Avenue and East Main Street for reports that three masked people were attempting to enter cars. When officers arrived, they quickly located and detained the two teens, according to a news release.

While investigators searched for the third suspect, they were contacted by a man who said he was approached in his vehicle by three people at the intersection of Southeast Clark Avenue and First Street. He said one of the suspects was armed with a gun and ordered him out of his vehicle. The man drove away and told officers he heard a single gunshot, the police department said.

When police searched the two teen suspects, they found a handgun magazine with ammunition that matched the spent cartridge, the news release states.

Both suspects were arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault, the police department said.

A Battle Ground K-9 unit attempted to track the third suspect, with the help of the Vancouver Police Department, Washougal Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, but was unsuccessful.

The outstanding suspect is a male described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall and last seen wearing a white hooded sweatshirt and white pants, Battle Ground police said.

Detectives are continuing to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Rick Kelly at 360-342-5200 or rick.kelly@cityofbg.org.

Battle Ground Police Chief Mike Fort lauded the community for reporting the incident to police and the quick response of other area agencies, which he said allowed officers the time to make two arrests.