Lacey-based transient man arrested after attempting to drive away in stolen truck, police say

A transient man was found behind the wheel of a truck stolen out of Seattle along Olympia’s Ensign Road on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Thomas Roy Deane, 34, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, along with multiple outstanding warrants and a Department of Corrections release from Aug. 2, only two days prior.

Olympia police were able to locate the stolen vehicle based on the information provided by the Seattle-based owner, who had a GPS tracker on the truck.  See video with this story -- owner explains how the vehicle was found through the use of the tracking device.  

Deane was witnessed by police outside of the stolen truck, with its hood up. He slammed down the hood when police arrived and moved toward the driver’s door. An officer ordered Deane to stop and not get into the vehicle. Deane did not comply, jumped into the truck, and locked the door.

A second officer arrived and parked his patrol car next to the truck’s front corner, ordering Deane to comply. Deane opened the driver’s door, refused to identify himself and demanded an attorney.

According to the police report, Deane was in possession of meth and a large screwdriver. Deane told OPD “Oh, that’s salt, I don’t know what you want.” When OPD informed Deane that it was methamphetamine, Deane stated “you don’t know.”

Deane refused to allow himself to be searched and started kicking the inside door of the patrol car. Deane was booked into the Thurston County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle.

According to the police report, police attempted to contact several people staying on Ensign Rd in their vehicles and motorhomes, each who stated that the stolen truck “showed up early” that morning. None of the contacts were willing to provide a statement on what they observed or did not observe.