Woman Steals Car with Pet Kitten, Worries About Its Safety During Arrest

Couple charged with theft, resisting arrest after high-speed chase in Tacoma

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:07pm

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Police in Tacoma, Washington intercepted a stolen vehicle last week, leading to a foot chase with the 29-year-old male driver and 23-year-old female passenger. The woman was found hiding under a pickup truck with her pet kitten and became distraught when officers tried to arrest her, worried about the cat's safety.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the risks criminals sometimes take by involving pets in their illegal activities, potentially endangering the animals. It also shows how criminals may try to use sympathy for their pets to avoid consequences for their actions.

The details

After a brief chase, the male driver and female passenger fled the stolen vehicle on foot. The woman was found hiding under a pickup truck with her pet kitten. She became distressed when officers tried to handcuff her, pleading with them to let her keep the cat safe. Body camera footage shows the woman saying, "Dude, can I please get my kitten? I just wanted to keep him safe." An officer responded, "You call this keeping him safe?"

  • The incident occurred last week in Tacoma, Washington.

The players

29-year-old man

The male driver of the stolen vehicle who fled on foot from police.

23-year-old woman

The female passenger of the stolen vehicle who was found hiding with her pet kitten and became distraught during the arrest.

Tacoma Humane Society

The organization that took custody of the uninjured kitten after the incident.

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What they’re saying

“Dude, can I please get my kitten? I just wanted to keep him safe.”

— 23-year-old woman

“You call this keeping him safe?”

— Police officer

What’s next

The couple was charged with theft, resisting arrest, and other outstanding warrants. The kitten was turned over to the Tacoma Humane Society.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of involving pets in criminal activities. While the woman may have been trying to protect her kitten, her actions ultimately endangered the animal and led to her own arrest.