A repeat offender, with nearly 100 arrests to his name, is back in custody after leading police on high-speed chases following a series of retail thefts across various counties in Washington.
Video footage has been made available, capturing both the chase and the suspect’s arrest.
This suspect, marked as his 98th arrest, was reportedly involved with another person in stealing goods worth thousands of dollars from multiple stores, often utilizing bags taken from one store to facilitate theft from another.
Officers noticed the suspect’s truck on Interstate 5 near Olympia. However, as they attempted to pull him over, he accelerated away, triggering a high-speed chase.
During the pursuit, officers hit speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour as they followed the truck toward downtown Olympia. They had to call off the chase when he began driving erratically through city streets, posing a danger to others.
Another attempt to stop him was also abandoned for safety reasons, as he sped toward Lacey at nearly 130 miles per hour, running red lights along the way.
Eventually, the truck was discovered abandoned near College Street. The suspects fled toward a nearby neighborhood, even creeping close to an elementary school, prompting a swift search effort. Fortunately, a K9 team quickly located them.
Bodycam footage reveals the officers confronting the suspects, ordering them to show their hands and walk backward before making the arrest.
In the truck, investigators found a substantial amount of stolen property, alongside quantities of meth, heroin, and fentanyl. Notably, they also discovered custom-made bongs integrated into the vehicle’s dashboard, allegedly designed to facilitate drug use while driving.
Authorities are pursuing a warrant for a blood test on the driver as part of a drunk driving inquiry. This suspect, a four-time convicted felon with an extensive record of offenses, is facing charges like driving under the influence, attempting to flee from police, and drug possession.
Upon his release from Thurston County Jail, he is expected to face additional charges linked to organized retail theft in Lewis County, while the other suspect has been transferred to a different police station due to a separate theft incident.
The sheriff’s office noted the significance of the suspect’s history and the outcome of this latest arrest, with Sheriff Derek Sanders saying, “Tonight he is back in jail for his 98th time on charges of DUI, eluding, and drug possession,” commending his team for capturing a repeat offender once again.
