3 minutes

Dennis Katsnelson

In the wee hours of February 25, a deputy on graveyard patrol noticed a suspicious vehicle parked in a lot located in the 16500 block of Meridian E in South Hill. Upon investigation, the deputy discovered that the suspect in the vehicle had evaded arrest by officers from the Puyallup Police Department several times in the last fortnight. The deputies tried to apprehend the suspect, but he fled the scene. Since he had not committed a pursuable offense, the deputies could not pursue him.

We took this video from Pierce County Sheriff's Department YouTube Channel.

The suspect returned to the same parking lot a short while later, and the deputies spotted him. This time, they were determined to bring him in. They turned on their emergency lights and surrounded the suspect's vehicle with their patrol cars. The driver, however, refused to exit the car and began to spin the wheels, creating a huge cloud of smoke. The deputies then placed stop sticks in front of the car's tires to prevent him from escaping again.

Frustrated by the suspect's refusal to comply, the deputies broke the car's windows and pepper-sprayed him. The suspect finally exited the vehicle and was taken into custody. Once he was medically cleared, the 58-year-old suspect was charged with several offenses, including eluding, resisting arrest, reckless endangerment, and obstructing.

The deputies' quick thinking and persistence in apprehending the suspect demonstrate their commitment to public safety. They showed great restraint in not pursuing the suspect earlier, even though they knew another police department wanted him.

When he returned to the same location, they could apprehend him without harming the public. It reminds us of the dangers that law enforcement officers face daily and their bravery in keeping us all safe.