Richland police arrest escaped felon in stolen vehicle

A Seattle area man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a car theft and using the stolen vehicle to commit other crimes in the Tri-Cities, said Richland police.

Richland police were dispatched about 6:45 a.m. Tuesday to investigate a report of an auto theft in the 400 block of Smith Avenue. Officers learned the suspect, Brian C. Mares, 36, reportedly had prowled several vehicles in the area before stealing the vehicle. The same vehicle was used in different crimes throughout the day in the Tri-City area, police said.

About 2:55 p.m., officers found the stolen vehicle in the 2100 block of Trippe Street. When officers tried to arrest Mares, he took off running, police said. Officers caught him and he resisted arrest.

Mares was treated at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and then was booked into the Benton County jail on suspicion of felony warrant for escape, auto theft and resisting arrest.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Richland police arrest escaped felon in stolen vehicle."