Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
October 21, 2011
Contact:
Trooper Julie Startupe
Phone:
(425) 766-0812
E-mail:
Julie.Startup@wsp.wa.gov
Car Lot Theft Uncovered After a Traffic Stop
The investigation following a suspicious traffic stop uncovered a suspect using stolen dealer plates to hide a stolen vehicle.
On October 12th, at 1:10 a.m., a trooper stopped a car weaving in and out of its lane on Northbound I-5 near State Route 523. The vehicle had a dealer’s license plate in the rear window. The driver, Travis Lambright of Everett, said he was test driving the vehicle and was just tired. The time of day, lack of driver identification and lack of information about where the vehicle came from did not add up for the trooper. The trooper verified the driver was suspended and had an outstanding warrant out of state for vehicle theft. Mr. Lambright was booked in King County Jail and the vehicle was held for investigation.
Washington State Patrol Criminal Investigation detectives worked with the trooper and discovered the dealer plates, vehicle, and dealership security access card had all been stolen from different local car dealerships. Charges for the thefts were added to Mr. Lamberts current investigation.
The case has similarities to other thefts in the Puget Sound Region and is being reviewed to determine if they are related.