Hoquiam, WA — January 29, 2026 — An 11-month-old child was safely recovered early Thursday morning following a vehicle theft in Hoquiam that prompted a multi-agency law enforcement response.

At approximately 1:25 a.m., Hoquiam Police Officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Lincoln Street after receiving a report of a stolen vehicle with a child still inside. The vehicle’s owner, a 33-year-old Ocean Shores woman, told officers she had briefly stopped at a Circle K convenience store to use the restroom and left her vehicle running with her infant secured in a car seat and asleep. When she returned, the vehicle was gone.

Officers immediately reviewed surveillance footage and distributed a suspect description to surrounding law enforcement agencies.

At approximately 1:42 a.m., Aberdeen Police Officer Twibell located the stolen vehicle parked in the 2400 block of Pacific Avenue. The infant was found still secured in the car seat, asleep and unharmed. The suspect was not located at the scene; however, a wallet left inside the vehicle identified the suspect as a 40-year-old male from Puyallup.

Aberdeen Police deployed a K-9 unit to track the suspect, but the search was unsuccessful due to the amount of time that had passed and weather conditions.

At approximately 4:17 a.m., Hoquiam Police Lieutenant Salstrom, who was heading home at the time, returned to the area believing the suspect—still in possession of the vehicle keys—might come back. While in the 500 block of 25th Street, Lt. Salstrom observed a male matching the suspect’s description walking back toward the location where the vehicle had been recovered. The suspect was taken into custody without incident.

The suspect is being transported to the Grays Harbor County Jail, where he will be booked on charges of Kidnapping in the First Degree and Motor Vehicle Theft.

Law enforcement officials expressed gratitude that the incident ended safely, with the child recovered without injury. Authorities also credited the rapid response and seamless coordination between Hoquiam and Aberdeen Police Departments.

This incident highlights the strong partnership and teamwork among Grays Harbor County law enforcement agencies, whose coordinated efforts led to a positive outcome in a potentially tragic situation.