Authorities in Pierce County are searching for a man and woman linked to a failed towing attempt that caused extensive damage to a University Place business, after multiple collisions left a popular restaurant with a smashed lobby and stunned staff.
The incident unfolded in the parking lot of an AutoZone near the intersection of Bridgeport Way and 40th Street West. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators shows a man driving a white Honda Pilot attempting to tow a disabled vehicle using a makeshift tow strap. The strap snaps as he begins to drive across the lot, sending the towed car rolling uncontrolled toward the storefront of Pho and Teriyaki.
Despite trying to chase down the runaway car on foot, the man is unable to stop it. The vehicle crashes into the restaurant’s front entrance, damaging the glass facade. “Just when you think it couldn’t get worse, it becomes a lot worse,” said Deputy Carly Cappetto with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department.
Rather than reassess the situation, the man tries again. This time, he backs up and attempts another pull—but the second strap fails as well, sending the car crashing into the restaurant a second time. On a third try, he switches to a longer strap and drags the vehicle across the lot until it wedges against a curb and a concrete retention wall, effectively ending the attempt. The pair then abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene, according to witnesses.
Deputies are now investigating the incident as a hit-and-run and are asking for the public’s help identifying both the driver and his female passenger, who remained in the Honda Pilot throughout the sequence of events. “It’s not just property damage. This was dangerous. There were people inside that building,” Cappetto said, underscoring the risks of DIY towing attempts in crowded commercial areas.
Authorities are urging anyone who recognizes the suspects or the white Honda Pilot to contact Crime Stoppers of Tacoma-Pierce County. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
Beyond the criminal investigation, officials say the case highlights a broader issue around public safety and accountability. “There are right ways to tow a vehicle—and this wasn’t one of them,” Cappetto said. “If you’re unsure, contact a professional or reach out to the sheriff’s office. We’re happy to connect you with resources that can prevent accidents like this from happening again.”
As cleanup crews worked to board up the damaged restaurant, the message from law enforcement remained clear: misjudged improvisation can cause more than just property damage.
