A 37-year-old suspected car thief tracked by a K9 team and patrol officers was arrested early Thursday Aug. 4 while police were investigating a report of a stolen car in Highland Park.

Officer Bryan Grozav took a report of a stolen 2006 Subaru Legacy around 2:00 am.. According to Seattle Police Grozav said that shortly after taking the report, he spotted the stolen Subaru driving on South Roxbury Street. When he attempted to follow the car it sped away.

A short time later, Sergeant Tamara Floyd saw the stolen vehicle on Roxbury driving at a high rate of speed. He reported that the vehicle was apparently burning the clutch since it was emitting a strong odor.

A half hour later Officer Sam Specht was near 9th Avenue SW and SW Trenton Street in Highland Park when he too smelled the burning clutch and witnessed the Subaru drive into an alley near 11th Ave SW. Upon investigation he found the unoccupied vehicle in the alley and called for a K9 team to respond and for additional officers to provide containment.

A track from the stolen vehicle was started once K9 Officer Mark Wong and Police Dog Ziva arrived . They tracked the suspect for several blocks until they reached a garage with an open door in the 1000 block of SW Portland Street. Officers entered the garage and found the suspect hiding behind the door. He was arrested without incident.

The vehicle’s owner responded to the scene and took possession of his Subaru.

The 37-year-old suspect was later booked into the King County Jail for investigation of auto theft.