EVERETT — While his Everett High School classmates were learning history and geometry, Kevin Diltz was venturing into larceny.
In 1999, he got caught stealing candy bars and pop from the school’s gym and a VCR from its theater.
Since then, he has graduated to more serious crimes: eluding police, possessing stolen property, drug possession, identity theft and being a felon with a firearm.
Now, the Everett man stands accused of shooting at a police officer.
Diltz, 30, was arrested for investigation of first-degree assault Monday after allegedly firing at least three rounds at a Marysville police officer in north Everett. The officer was not hit.
Diltz also was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of possessing a stolen pickup truck, eluding police and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police allege Diltz was the man behind the steering wheel of a stolen pickup Monday. The full-sized truck pulled to the side of the road on the I-5 on-ramp in Marysville. When a Marysville police officer got out of his patrol car, the truck pulled away. The driver allegedly passed cars on the shoulder in an attempt to get away.
The pickup lost power in the area of 13th Street and Colby Avenue. The driver allegedly jumped out of the moving vehicle at 14th Street and Hoyt Avenue before it crashed into two parked cars.
The Marysville officer got out of his patrol car and gave chase.
The officer told investigators that he saw the suspect fire at least three rounds in his direction as he ran away.
“The … officer sought cover and watched as the suspect ran between houses mid block,” court papers said.
The suspect then was spotted in the back yard of a home. As other officers closed in, the suspect shed clothes along the way.
Police searched the neighborhood for evidence after Diltz was captured.
“Three bullet strikes and three 9mm casings were located in the area that the … officer saw (the suspect) fire at him,” court papers said.
The officer reportedly identified Diltz as the man he saw firing a handgun at him.
Police also found a set of Ford keys in a jacket they believe the suspect dumped in an alley. A computer check confirmed that the pickup had been reported stolen.
Police continued to search the neighborhood for the handgun on Tuesday afternoon, officer Aaron Snell said.
Diltz has a dozen felony convictions, including possessing methamphetamine.
He twice has been convicted of attempting to elude police.
In 2001, he drove a stolen car more than 90 mph in a 35 mph zone in south Everett.
A year later, he reached speeds of more than 90 mph on I-5 and drove on the wrong side of the street after exiting the freeway.
He later was accused of trying to steal a Lynnwood man’s riding lawnmower. When the owner caught him on the mower, Diltz ran off. Police found him trying to hide in a tree.
In 2008, Diltz was caught prowling vehicles. During a pat down, police found a flare gun in the pocket of his cargo pants. A 12-gauge shotgun shell had been modified to fit into the flare gun, court records said.
That year, Diltz was sentenced to five years in prison.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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