Two Arrested at Mount Rainier

Two people were arrested Sunday morning in Mount Rainier National Park after a car prowl at Crystal Lakes trailhead.

Over the past few weeks there have been numerous car prowls within the park, including the break-in of a WTA staffer's vehicle. We reported Lace Thornberg's story last week, along with several tips to discourage car thefts at trailheads.

In this case, the park service placed "bait cars" at trailheads in the park, then placed them under surveillance. At Crystal Lakes, a vehicle was loaded with a cell phone, a GPS device, a satellite phone, a camera and camping equipment. The suspects, a man and woman from Enumclaw, broke into the car at 6am on Sunday and stole all of the items. Then they left the trailhead.

A ranger pulled them over a short distance away. They had the items from the bait car, as well as several items that had been previously reported as stolen.

"I am pleased that Mount Rainier National Park took these car prowl incidents so seriously," said Lace. "They took initiative from the start. When we returned to find our broken car window at the Fryingpan Creek trailhead on August 7th, we already had a card from a ranger at Mount Rainier National Park who wanted to follow up with us. It looks like these efforts have paid off."

Lace is still waiting to see if the National Park Service uncovers her and her friends' stolen items. The case is being investigated by the National Park Service and prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office.