Police: Mental patient caught following violent 'rampage,' car chase

TACOMA -- Police arrested a Tacoma man after he allegedly went on a violent "rampage," police said, attacking several hospital staff members, assaulting a woman and leading police on a wild chase.

According to the Tacoma Police Department, officers received calls around 10:20 a.m. Friday from the Comprehensive Mental Health Center in Tacoma that a patient assaulted multiple staff members. The patient then left the building and threw rocks through a nearby window.

Officers said four people at the hospital were injured, and required medical assistance.

A short time later, police said, the man assaulted a woman and stole her car.

Officers near the scene spotted the stolen car and attempted to stop it, police said. However, the suspect allegedly ran at the officers' car, pushing them off the road. Police opened fire.

The officers were not injured.

The car then reportedly "jumped" on the 705 Freeway in Tacoma going the wrong direction, police said. The driver allegedly drove for a short time before he ended on Mountain Highway. Pierce County sheriff's deputies managed to stop the car and arrest the driver.

Police said the man was not injured and he was booked into Pierce County Jail on four courts of assault and one count of robbery.