Porch Pirate Behind Bars in Yakima After Monday Arrest

Package theft is always a problem but authorities say it increases during the holidays. Yakima Police say a woman wanted for numerous package thefts and other crimes is behind bars after being arrested on Monday.

Police started getting complaints last week about the suspect

Capt. Jay Seely over the last week the department received dozens of complaints about a suspect driving around area neighborhoods stealing packages from homes. On Monday afternoon officers located and tried to stop the 33-year-old female suspect, identified as Elisha King but she fled in a vehicle and police terminated the chase. Then at about 9:30 pm Monday officers again found and tried to stop King but she fled the area. A short time later Seely says officers found the suspect vehicle in 10 block of South 14th Avenue and started searching for the King with help from a K9 officer.

As police started the search they received a tip from an area resident

As the search started a resident in the area walked up to police and told them about a suspicious person hiding near a nearby dumpster. Police then arrested the 33-year-old King. After searching her and her vehicle Seely says officers found a bunch of shaved keys and more than 13 stolen debit/credit cards. He says the vehicle she was driving was stolen about a month ago and contained several dozen stolen packages. Seely says the King has an extensive history of theft in the city. She's now sitting in the Yakima County jail on felony charges including Eluding, Possession of Stolen Vehicle, 2nd Degree Possession of Stolen Property. Her bail was set at $50,000 during an court appearance on Tuesday. The investigation continues Today.