400 Pound Washington Man Arrested in Stolen Car Ring

Two Arrested Stolen Car Suspects Possibly Tied to Eight Vehicle Thefts in Oregon & Washington in One Week.

28-year old Christopher Nicholas Womack 25-year old Natacha Nichole Brister were arrested on numerous charges. Photos: Klamath County Sheriff's Office

(KLAMATH FALLS, Ore.) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers arrested two people west of Klamath Falls Tuesday afternoon who they say may be responsible for the theft of eight vehicles during a one-week period in Oregon and Washington. OSP Senior Trooper Ryan Niehus says that at 3:40 PM on January 22nd, OSP troopers were set up to intercept and stop a stolen Honda passenger car eastbound on Highway 140W.

"Troopers were notified by ODOT that they had provided gas to a disabled car with two occupants near Lake of the Woods on Highway 140W near milepost 36. Based upon the license number provided by ODOT, OSP learned the car had been stolen in the Albany area."

Neihus says troopers set up near the entrance to Running Y Ranch near milepost 61 and stopped the stolen car without incident.

"Officers from Klamath County Sheriff's Office and Klamath Falls Police Department were set up east of this location in case the vehicle attempted to elude."

Troopers arrested the 6'3", 400-pound driver identified as 28-year old Christopher Nicholas Womack of Tacoma, Washington on charges of Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Theft in the First Degree, Kidnap in the First Degree, Coercion and Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

He says the car's passenger, 25-year old Natacha Nichole Brister of Kent, Washington, was also arrested. She was charged with Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle, Theft in the First Degree, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument (Checks) and for being a Fugitive From Justice, based on outstanding Washington State felony Probation Violation warrant.

Both were lodged in Klamath County Jail. The kidnap and coercion charges on Womack are based upon allegations that between January 16th and 22nd the female suspect was not allowed to leave due to threats against her.

The preliminary investigation indicates that since January 16th the suspects were involved in the theft of eight vehicles, and an attempted theft of another, according to Niehus.

"Vehicles allegedly were stolen and then abandoned when they were low on gas, at which time another vehicle was stolen during their travels from Klamath Falls to Federal Way, Washington, and back to Klamath Falls where Brister's parents reportedly live.

Troopers are working with police departments in Klamath Falls, Medford, Eugene/Springfield, Federal Way, Portland, and Albany to confirm vehicle thefts and locate stolen cars that were reportedly left at undetermined locations in these areas.

Two vehicles recovered in the Klamath Falls area during this period are believed to be related to these suspects' activities.