Alleged car thief kidnaps

saleswoman at dealership

September 29-Washington State Patrol troopers rescued a Burien car saleswoman after she was kidnapped during a test drive.

Troopers pulled the SUV over on Interstate 5 near Nisqually after the Burien Rainier Auto Group dealership reported that a Nissan Pathfinder had been stolen about 11 a.m.

A dealership employee told the state patrol that one of their sales staff was being held inside the vehicle against her will, according to an affidavit filed by Pierce County prosecutors.

Charged with kidnapping and car theft was Dennise Marie Wanke, 48, who was behind the wheel when troopers stopped the Pathfinder.

Wanke said she had bought the vehicle and the saleswoman wanted to be driven to Portland to complete the paperwork, according to charging papers.

But the saleswoman told troopers that when they got into the SUV, Wanke immediately drove it onto I-5 and started making "odd statements about who was going to buy the car."

Wanke allegedly ignored the saleswoman's request that she return to the dealership.

The saleswoman then sent "distress" text message to the dealership while keeping her cell phone out of view from Wanke.

Dealership employees later confirmed the vehicle had not been purchased.

Wanke, who was being held in the Pierce County Jail, will have a hearing in November to determine whether she is competent to stand trial.

King County

Weather works troopers

October 2-Washington State Patrol troopers in King County, typically the busiest in the state, saw their workload increase with the recent change in weather.

From midnight Sept. 22 through noon Sept. 25, troopers in King County responded to 171 traffic accidents.

During the same time period one week later, from Saturday, Setp. 29, through Tuesday, Oct. 2, troopers responded to 275 collisions county wide-a 62 percent increase.

They reported that the single biggest contributing factor in these accidents was speed.

The state patrol noted that motorists who adjust their speed to the conditions in which they find themselves driving are much better prepared to encounter slick roadways.

This applies even when motorists already are driving on slippery roadways at less than the posted speed limits because of inclement weather.

Tukwila

Lightening closes station

October 3--An afternoon thundershower brought lightning and hail to the Seattle area-and one lightning bolt struck the Bow Lake Transfer Station in Tukwila.

King County officials said no one was injured, but the 4:15 p.m. lightning strike caused an electrical fire underneath the scales that closed the disposal facility for several hours.

The storm also knocked out power in parts of SeaTac and Tukwila during the afternoon commute.

County officials inspected the transfer station and reopened it the next day.

Compiled by Ralph Nichols