BELLINGHAM, Wash. – A rash of vehicle thefts continues in Whatcom and neighboring counties.
Sheriff’s deputies patrolling a hotel parking lot in the 4200 block of Meridian Street saw a vehicle without license plates.
They checked the vehicle identification number and Swinomish Tribal Police confirmed it was stolen.
The suspect in the theft was identified as 32-year-old Daniel Garcia of Mount Vernon and hotel surveillance video led deputies to the room he was in.
He surrendered after about 90 minutes.
Charges include theft, felon in possession of a gun and violation of a no-contact order as the person who petitioned for the order was also in the room.