Arrest warrants finally catch up to wanted Renton man

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A 28-year-old Renton man was booked into Jefferson County Jail earlier this month over three felony charges from 2019.

Joshua Taylor Daniels was arrested in November 2019 after authorities determined he had been involved with the theft of a Chevrolet truck from outside the 7 Cedars Casino.

According to court documents, deputies were called after the truck was reported stolen and a friend of the owner followed the Chevy into Jefferson County.

A state wildlife officer saw the stolen truck on US Highway 101 and began following it until a Jefferson deputy joined the pursuit.

The deputy caught up to the truck where US 101 splits into two lanes at Highway 104, and attempted to pass a Dodge Dart that was between him and the truck when the driver of the Dodge cut the officer off; he had to slam on his brakes to avoid hitting the Dodge or going into the ditch.

The driver of the stolen truck was able to get away, and eventually abandoned the vehicle and ran off.

Police put up a containment perimeter to find the truck thief, and the deputy parked at the corner of Highway 20 and Mill Road in case the thief came that way.

While waiting, he saw the Dodge Dart that had almost forced him off the road, drive past.

The Dodge was stopped at
Highway 20 and Fredricks Road, and police quickly determined the driver and a passenger had been involved in the stolen truck case.

Daniels, the passenger, was identified as the owner of the Dodge. He eventually told police the woman driving his car had intentionally cut off the pursuing deputy at the Highway 104/US 101 interchange so he wouldn’t catch up to the fleeing truck thief.

Police searched the Dodge Dart with Daniels’ consent, and found a small plastic baggie that contained heroin, which Daniels allegedly said belonged to him.

A glass pipe that contained what looked like methamphetamine was also discovered under the passenger seat.

Deputies also found an emergency hammer for smashing car windows in the Dodge, along with a set of homemade keys for Honda, Acura, and Ford vehicles.

Police found a 9mm Taurus pistol in the trunk.

Daniels was arrested for being a felon in possession of a firearm, having motor vehicle theft tools, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

During a search at the county jail, authorities also found a credit card in Daniels’ front pocket that had someone else’s name on it. 

Daniels allegedly told authorities that the man who had stolen the truck had given it to him after he got the car while prowling cars in Sequim.

Daniels was charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, second-degree possession of stolen property, and possession of heroin.

He was arraigned on the three felony charges in November 2019, but when a hearing was set to change his not guilty pleading in February 2020, he never showed up in court.

A warrant was issued for his arrest, followed by multiple summons to court, but Daniels never returned to court.

Earlier this year, the drug charge against Daniels was dropped in response to the Washington Supreme Court’s decision invalidating the state’s drug possession law.

Daniels remained wanted on the other two felony charges.

During an appearance via video from the county jail Thursday, Daniels asked to be released so he could get treatment.

Chief Criminal Deputy Chris Ashcraft, however, asked that his bail amount be doubled to $20,000, based on Daniels’ earlier failures to appear and the eight warrants that were issued for his arrest in other cases.

“I understand I have had very bad records of showing up,” Daniels told Superior Court Judge Keith Harper.

Daniels said he had since gotten a driver’s license, a vehicle, a permanent residence, and a job.

“I’m clean off of drugs,” Daniels said. “And I have a good support system, which I had not had prior.”

Harper, however, noted that Daniels had been transferred to Jefferson County from another jail.

Daniels admitted he had been in jail in King County for the past month.

“I promise I will do everything I need to do. I will not let you guys down and we will get this over with,” Daniels added.

Harper said he would increase bail to $20,000, cash or bond.

“Your appearance history is terrible. I have no confidence you will show up when you are supposed to,” Harper said.

Daniels’ trial date was set for Dec. 6.