A 14-year-old was arrested for driving under the influence and eluding police after a pursuit on Friday, June 28, according to Kent Police.

Kent Patrol Officer De Var was conducting a DUI and distracted driving emphasis when he noticed a vehicle failing to stop at a stop sign on W. Meeker Street. The driver was drifting out of his lane, and when Officer De Var attempted to pull him over, he slowly ran a red light. Despite the officer’s activated siren and fully lit police vehicle, the driver continued to ignore the signals.

The car eventually hit a sidewalk while rounding a corner and lost a tire after running another red light. The driver continued to elude police until the vehicle struck a curb on W. James Street and became inoperable.

The driver, identified as a 14-year-old Kent male, exited the car and fled toward a nearby apartment complex. As officers from Sergeant Chapman’s crew responded to assist, one officer observed what appeared to be a handgun in the suspect’s possession.

Officers pursued the suspect on foot, issuing commands to stop, but he continued to flee. King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian 1 helicopter tracked the suspect, who was seen jumping fences and hiding inside a top-opening freezer in a backyard.

Officers used de-escalation techniques and gave multiple commands for the suspect to exit. Guardian 1 also issued commands via their PA system, but the suspect refused to leave the freezer for over 20 minutes. The Federal Way Police Department K9 team arrived to assist, and shortly after, the freezer lid began to open. Officers approached to take the suspect into custody, but he refused to comply, curling up with his hands underneath his body, raising concerns about a possible weapon.

Eventually, officers were able to take the suspect into custody. Officer De Var obtained a warrant to test the suspect’s blood for drugs and alcohol. The warrant was approved by a judge, and the blood was drawn by a technician at a local hospital. The suspect was then transported for fingerprinting and later released to a parent after being declined for booking into King County Juvenile Detention.

The case has been forwarded to the Kent Detective Unit for further investigation. The suspect potentially faces charges of DUI, eluding, resisting arrest, and obstructing law enforcement.

“Great teamwork and outside agency assists on this difficult case that endangered our community,” Kent Police said in a statement. “Intoxicated juveniles are especially dangerous drivers as their intoxication is compounded by their lack of driving experience. If you are looking for resources for a teen in your family who is sliding out of control, below are a couple places to start.”

For families seeking resources for troubled teens, Kent Youth and Family Services and the 24/7 WA State Crisis Line are available – call 988 or visit https://kyfs.org/.

Scott Schaefer

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