Cafe Car Culprit Captured by Pasco Police After Chase

A 25-year-old Kennewick man is in the Franklin County Jail after he allegedly stole a distinctive car from the parking lot of a Cafe in Pasco.

Pasco Police said Monday the Friday arrest will likely result in auto theft charges, possibly more.

Officers got a call around 3:35PM about the theft, it was said to have actually occurred at 10AM that day. The victim realized his car was gone around 1PM.

The owner said he'd been working on his vehicle in the parking lot at the Collegium Cafe in the 3500 block of East A Street in Pasco. He said he'd forgotten he'd left a key in the vehicle. But when lunchtime came, he realized it had been taken.

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Area security footage showed the suspect,  James P. McCarthy, getting into the car and driving away. The car was distinctive, and Officers located it near the Tahitian Inn, near 28th and Lewis.

Pasco Police executed what they said was a high-risk traffic stop, and the suspect behind the wheel matched the description of the man seen taking the car.

A witness from the Collegium was brought over and positively ID'd McCarthy as the man who took the car.

Since the weekend, he's been cooling his heels in the jail, awaiting the charges. The investigation continues. Anyone who may know more about this incident, you're urged to call (509)-628-0333. All leads can be confidential.