Deputy uses SUV, dog to capture accused car thief before car is even reported stolen
EVERETT, Wash. -- A Snohomish County deputy used his SUV to push back a car 40 feet after the driver intentionally rammed the patrol car while trying to escape.
Authorities said a deputy was conducting a traffic stop near the intersection of 132nd Street SW and Ash Way when the driver reached a dead-end and tried to ram through a chain link fence that separated two apartment complexes.
Deputy Wallin pursued the car and stopped in a driveway. Officials said the suspect then put the car in reverse, accelerated and rammed the patrol SUV.
Deputies explain what happened next:
"After ramming the patrol car the suspect tried to make a U-turn to get out of the complex but he kept hitting other cars. Deputy Wallin decided to try and keep the suspect from getting back on the roadway and endangering the public. Deputy Wallin put his push-bumper on the driver's side of the vehicle and pushed him back about 40 feet. The suspect quickly figured out this was not going to work out for him and he crawled across the passenger seat and fled on foot out the passenger side of the vehicle.
After the suspect ignored all of the commands to stop running, K-9 Ronin was deployed to apprehend the suspect. K-9 Ronin made his way under a fence the suspect had just jumped over and took him down in the middle of the roadway. The suspect tried to fight Ronin and very quickly lost that battle as well. The suspect was taken into custody and a fixed blade knife was located in the small of his back."
Investigators discovered the vehicle had just been stolen from Mukilteo and had not even been reported yet.
The suspect was taken to the hospital for treatment of dog bites. He was then transferred to the Snohomish County Jail where he was booked on investigation of several felony charges -- in addition to several outstanding warrants.