Renton, WA – Curt Cox, 42, a “prolific car thief” with a criminal history spanning over two decades, was arrested last week after months of investigation. Cox, who has been arrested over 40 times before, was captured on body camera footage during his 42nd arrest for stealing a truck in Renton.
Police first became aware of Cox after a cell phone video surfaced showing him stealing a Ford truck in July 2024. The truck belonged to a man visiting his mother at Valley Medical Center in Renton. In the video, Cox can be seen with a screwdriver, attempting to hotwire the truck. A store employee, suspicious of Cox’s behavior, filmed the incident, helping officers later identify him through his distinctive tattoos and a match with his driver’s license photo.
Following the theft, Cox was on the radar of Renton Police, who worked tirelessly with the help of Crime Stoppers tips and detective work. They tracked him over several months, eventually identifying him in early October driving a stolen Jeep Grand Cherokee from Angle Lake Parking Garage in SeaTac. Surveillance footage from the garage showed a man who appeared to be Cox taking the vehicle, reinforcing their investigation.
Renton Police spokeswoman Meeghan Black described Cox as “a prolific car thief,” and his criminal behavior escalated as he continued to evade capture. In November, police tracked him to the Rustic Chalet Apartments, where he fled when he noticed officers approaching. Cox later attempted to discard a stolen Walther PPS 9mm firearm and keys to another stolen vehicle before he was apprehended at Burien Manor Apartments.
During his arrest, Cox was found carrying a stolen gun, in addition to being behind the wheel of another stolen vehicle. He faces several charges, including vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. A judge set his bail at $115,000, and he remains in custody.
Renton Police credited the success of the arrest to the Violent Crime Unit (VCU), a specialized team that focuses on long-term investigations into repeat offenders. Black stated that the unit’s work had led to the arrest of 88 suspects and the seizure of 24 weapons to date.
Cox’s criminal history includes multiple convictions for taking vehicles without permission, vehicle prowling, and possession of stolen property, dating back to 2002. His extensive criminal record made him a key target for Renton’s law enforcement, and his latest arrest is seen as a significant success for the department.
