Watch: Wash. Deputies Find Suspect Struggling to Steal Semi

Body camera footage shows Pierce County sheriff's deputies confronting a man accused of trying to steal a tractor-trailer but allegedly failing to figure out how to get the rig moving.

Joe Vince

Nov. 11, 2026

2 min read

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Pierce County sheriff's deputies arrested a man accused of trying to steal a tractor-trailer from a farm after he allegedly couldn't figure out how to operate the rig.
Body camera footage shows deputies finding the suspect in the cab with the engine running as he attempted to get the semi moving.
The suspect was arrested on attempted vehicle theft and resisting arrest charges after deputies pulled him from the truck and used a Taser when he allegedly resisted.

A man accused of trying to steal a tractor-trailer underestimated how complicated the rigs are to operate, leading to his apprehension by Washington deputies.

The incident happened shortly before 2:15 a.m. Nov. 4 when Pierce County sheriff's deputies responded to a call at a farm in the Puyallup area, the agency stated in a social media news release, which included body camera footage. A security guard reported a man trying to steal a semi.

According to the sheriff's office, the suspect was inside the tractor-trailer's cab when deputies arrived at the scene. He had started the engine and was turning the steering wheel in an effort "to figure out how to get the massive rig moving," the sheriff's office stated.

Deputies ordered the man to exit the vehicle, but the suspect refused. That's when deputies pulled him out of the cab and Tased the suspect when he continued to resist.

A search found drug paraphernalia in the suspect's belongings, and the man was suspected of being under the influence after allegedly smoking a substance before deputies arrived.

Deputies arrested suspect for attempted motor vehicle theft and resisting arrest.

"Thankfully, the suspect was not able to leave the parking lot," the sheriff's office stated. "We’re especially grateful he didn't figure out how to operate the brakes. A stolen semi-truck could have caused some serious damage and put lives at risk!"

About the Author

Joe Vince

Joining Endeavor Business Media in 2018, Joe has worked on the company's city services publications. He began working at OFFICER.com as the assistant editor. Before starting at Endeavor, Joe had worked for a variety of print and online news outlets, including the Indianapolis Star, the South Bend Tribune, Reddit and Patch.com.