RAINIER BEACH – Three teens were arrested after police say they beat up a man and took off with his car.
The incident happened Sunday, just after 3 a.m., in the 11200 block of 57 Avenue South.
Det. Mark Jamieson with Seattle Police said the victim was parking his Toyota Camry on the street when a girl knocked on his window and asked if she could use his phone.
As he turned to look up at the teen, she reportedly sprayed him in the face with pepper spray.
“The victim was pulled from his car and assaulted with fists and shoes and some type of stick by at least 7-10 juvenile males and females,” said Det. Jamieson.
The group stole the victim’s car and were last seen heading towards Beacon Avenue South.
Suffering injuries to his body and head, the victim managed to call 911.
At the time, several King County Sheriff’s deputies were in the area and noticed a group of teen-aged girls and guys, near the 11200 block of Beacon Avenue South. One of them was covered in blood, according to police.
The deputies stopped the group and contacted Seattle officers who took over the investigation.
As that happened, several Seattle Police officers saw the victim’s car near 53rd Avenue South and South Augusta.
“The car had visible blood and damage to the windshield, and the driver attempted to slump down in the driver’s seat to avoid detection,” said Det. Jamieson.
When the driver noticed police, they say he sped up, pulling into a driveway in the 11100 block of Beacon Avenue South. The driver was arrested on the spot.
The victim was able to identify three of the teens involved in the incident, including the girl who used the pepper spray and one of the guys who hit him with a stick.
He was eventually taken to Harborview Medical Center for his injuries.
The three suspects, one girl, 15, and two guys, 14 and 17, were arrested and booked into the Youth Services Center for Investigation of Robbery/Carjacking.
Police are continuing to search for 5-7 more suspects reportedly involved in the incident.
