Police: Driver in stolen van tries to run down officer

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. -- Authorities say a man in a stolen minivan tried to run over a police officer north of Seattle in Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon police say on Monday afternoon an officer tried to pull over a driver who was speeding, but the driver ignored him, continuing until coming to a dead-end street.

The officer then got out of his patrol car and yelled for the men to get out of the van.

Instead, police say, the driver accelerated, causing the officer to scramble for protection.

Police say the vehicle drove on, swiping the side of a car before the occupants fled the van into the woods near the Skagit River. Three people were eventually taken into custody and one was later released.

The 26-year-old driver of Tigard, Oregon and a 19-year-old Mount Vernon man are facing charges.