Stolen motorcycle recovered, suspect arrested

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Olympia police located a stolen motorcycle while driving on Ensign Road NE on Sun., Aug. 15.

Lee Furtwangler, 32, of Olympia, was contacted just after 8 a.m. while he straddled the red Honda, with a female nearby who was waiting to speak to him or for him to fix to the motorcycle.

Furtwangler told the police officer that he was just trying to get the motorcycle started.  There were no plates on the motorcycle.  The police stated that "the motorcycle ignition had been punched and a bypass switch had been installed allowing the motorcycle to be kickstarted without using the ignition." 

Furtwangler told the officer that he had purchased it for $300 from a friend named “Jason” but didn’t know “Jason’s” last name.

The officer searched the motorcycle for a vehicle identification number (VIN) but was at first unable to locate it. Later, the VIN was discovered located under blue painter’s tape.

Furtwangler had a picture of the VIN which he showed the officer; the VIN which came back as stolen out of Centralia.

Furtwangler was placed under arrest. During a search of Furtwangler’s backpack, OPD found a 45mm style BB gun spraypainted black and a large set of shaved keys for Ford, Toyota and Honda vehicles. Shaved keys allow access and open locks of similar cars.

Furtwangler was booked into Thurston Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle. Police are recommending an additional charge be added for possession of auto theft tools.

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