Suspected Longview Car Thief in Custody

LONGVIEW – Longview police have in custody a suspected car thief who stole several vehicles, wrecking two of them. The suspect, who turned himself in to authorities Tuesday night, is said to have injured one person in stealing one of the vehicles. He is identified as Wesley Byron Smyth, 35, of Longview. KETK reports around 5:00 Monday afternoon, police were dispatched to a hit and run accident near West Marshall Avenue and Gilmer Road. Smyth is said to have wrecked a stolen vehicle from a local used car dealership, into a power pole. After abandoning that vehicle, Smyth is said to have returned to the dealership and stolen a second vehicle. That one was wrecked near HG Mosley and Cotton Street. He is accused of stealing a third vehicle by pulling an elderly woman out of the driver’s seat. Someone at the scene tried to stop him from stealing the vehicle, but he drove off with that person still holding onto the car, according to police. The victim, who was dragged in the vehicle, received non life-threatening injuries.