A Connell man, who allegedly tried to steal a motorcyle he showed up to test drive, also showed up to the scene on a stolen motorcyle, according to police.
KENNEWICK, Wash. – A Connell man was arrested Saturday after allegedly trying to steal a motorcyle after posing as a buyer.
Jeromy Clark, 31, is facing charges of possession of a stolen vehicle, resisting arrest and assault. Authorities said Clark is suspected in several open auto and motorcycle theft cases in the Tri-Cities.
Kennewick police officers were called to the parking lot of Walmart, located on the 2700 block of South Quillan Street, just before 8 p.m. According to police, one of the people who called for help said a group of people were trying to restrain a man, later identified as Clark.
According to witnesses at the scene, police said Clark showed up to the Walmart parking lot to meet someone who was selling a motorcyle on Facebook marketplace. However, police said Clark showed up to the meet on a motorcycle that had been stolen out of Pasco just hours earlier. After further investigation, police said several people at the scene had recognized Clark as a suspect in an unrelated auto theft case and warned the owner of the motorcycle.
Police said Clark is suspected of stealing three motorcycles between October 28, 2022 and November 5, 2022 in the Tri-Cities area. Clark is also suspected in auto thefts throughout Benton and Franklin Counties. According to authorities, he contacted sellers through social media and requests to test drive motorcycles, but never returns with them.
Kennewick police officers said when they tried to arrest Clark in the parking lot, he refused to obey commands and assaulted an officer. Authorities said it took several officers to arrest Clark, however, no one was hurt.
The Kennewick Police Department encouraged people who are going to buy or sell items online to meet in a well-lit public area. Authorities recommended the parties should agree to meet at a police station parking lot or other public area during daylight hours.
ALSO ON YAKTRINEWS.COM:
COPYRIGHT 2022 BY YAKTRINEWS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.