PORTLAND, Ore. — Police in Clark County arrested an attempted carjacking suspect on Jan. 26, nearly a year after the incident occurred. Officials said DNA test results helped identify Geoffrey Boal, which they retrieved from clothing he stripped off and left near the scene.
The incident happened on Feb. 21, 2023 at the Arco Gas Station at 609 Northeast 99th Street. That’s where the victim, Bill Black, was putting air in his car tires on the passenger side.
Surveillance video showed Boal getting dropped off by a vehicle at the gas station, according to police. He got into Black’s car and attempted to drive off, but Black jumped into the passenger seat to try and fight him off.
“I heard the door close, and I knew what was going on at that point,” Black said during an interview last year. “I just bolted up and went and as soon as I was able to open the door, he was already backing up.”
Boal threw the car in reverse, causing Black to slam into the dashboard and windshield. Black was able to wrestle the car into park before throwing a couple of punches at the carjacker, eventually shoving him out.
Boal left the scene. Detectives said surveillance video showed him removing several clothing items and hiding them behind a nearby building before leaving the area.
Detectives eventually retrieved photos of the vehicle which dropped Boal off, and a deputy later recognized the vehicle in a local grocery store parking lot.
Detectives interviewed the driver to get more information. They also retrieved Boal’s clothing items, and submitted them to the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab. That’s when they identified Boal as the suspect.
Authorities said they couldn’t locate Boal for several months. But during a separate Stolen Vehicle Operation on Jan. 26, the Vancouver Police Department stopped a stolen vehicle and found Boal inside.
Boal is facing first-degree robbery charges, according to Vancouver police.