Armed robbery suspect in custody after chase, crash in Tacoma



TACOMA, Wash. -- Authorities say the suspect in two robberies is in custody Friday after a chase that spanned three counties and ended with a crash along I-5 in Tacoma.

The crash happened along northbound I-5 near the ramp to I-705 and SR 7. WSDOT said on Twitter the crash happened at 5:38 p.m.
 



Washington State Patrol says a person involved in the crash was wanted in connection with armed coffee stand robberies in Mount Vernon and Bremerton.  Trooper Johnna Batiste said on Twitter that officials from multiple police agencies pursued the suspect into Pierce County.

State Patrol troopers attempted to use a spike strip to stop the suspect's vehicle in the area of SR 16 and northbound I-5, and ">Batiste said a trooper also opened fire during the incident.

The spike strip was ineffective and the driver continued, hitting two other vehicles before trying to turn the wrong way on the freeway and getting stuck between concrete barriers in a construction zone, Batiste said.
 



The driver then exited the vehicle and fled up the 38th Street on-ramp before being arrested.

No injuries were reported during the chase or subsequent crashes, Batiste said.  Several ramps in the area were closed while officials investigated the incident.

Tacoma Police will investigate the trooper who fired shots during the incident, Batiste said.