Police: Man spotted texting and driving led police on high-speed chase

LYNNWOOD -- Police arrested a 26-year-old man Wednesday after the man allegedly failed to pull over when he was spotted by police texting and driving a stolen car, leading officers on a high-speed chase.

Officers spotted the man texting on his cellphone while driving a car Wednesday morning in the 15500 block of 18th Avenue West, Snohomish County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Shari Ireton said. Officers tried to pull him over for a simple texting and riving ticket, Ireton said, but the man sped off.

The driver blew past several stop signs as he ran from police, Ireton said. Officers discovered the man's car was stolen, and they deployed a spike strip some miles down the road.

The car was disabled in the 8200 block of Upper Ridge Road, but rather than surrender, the man allegedly fled on foot. After a brief foot chase, the man was taken into custody. He was booked into Snohomish County Jail on felony eluding and an outstanding warrant in Skagit County.

No injuries were reported in the chase. The stolen vehicle was damaged.

The Snohomish County Auto Theft Task Force is investigating, Ireton said.