Man, 82, allegedly attacked and robbed of his car during a test drive in Washington

A Sheriff’s Office in Washington state arrested two Whatcom County residents on Sunday after they allegedly stole a car they were test-driving.

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Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater told The Bellingham Herald that deputies were called to the 4900 block of Aldrich Road on Thursday for a reported theft of a vehicle with an assault. An 82-year-old man had arranged to meet a 57-year-old man at Walmart to look at a 2001 Toyota Highlander the older man was selling, according to the Everson Police Department.

While the 57-year-old was test-driving the car, he allegedly pulled the vehicle over and told the owner to get out, Slater said. He allegedly punched the owner multiple times in the head.

A 58-year-old woman then pulled up in another vehicle and allegedly started hitting and kicking the victim. One of them allegedly put their hands around the victim’s throat and restricted his airway.

The man allegedly drove off in the victim’s car while the woman left in her own vehicle, according to Slater.

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Police were eventually able to identify the 57-year-old and 58-year-old as suspects, of Nooksack, and found both cars related to the incident in their driveway, Slater said.

The two were arrested Sunday on suspicion of first-degree robbery, second-degree assault and theft of a motor vehicle. They remain in custody without bail ahead of their first appearances.

This story was originally published October 27, 2026 at 4:05 AM with the headline “Man, 82, allegedly attacked and robbed of his car during a test drive in Washington.”

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