A 38-year-old Tacoma man with a growing list of felony charges was arrested this week by Kent Police and Seattle Police following a weeks-long investigation involving multiple dangerous encounters in both cities.
The man was taken into custody during his lunch break outside his workplace in Fife, according to Kent Police.
Officers from Kent’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU), Special Investigations Unit (SIU), and Seattle Police collaborated on the operation, arresting the suspect without incident.
The suspect was carrying a handgun at the time, police said.
He is facing charges including three counts of eluding police, one count of attempted second-degree assault, reckless driving, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The arrest followed a series of escalating incidents dating back to June. On June 20, a Seattle officer discovered the suspect attempting to remove his impounded vehicle from a tow yard. When confronted, the suspect reversed his vehicle into the patrol car and fled.
Three days later, Kent CRU officers spotted him driving recklessly through traffic on Pacific Highway South. A pursuit was initiated but quickly called off due to safety concerns.
On Aug. 3 in Seattle, the man offered firefighters a nitrous oxide canister — commonly referred to as a “whippet” — then rammed their fire truck with his vehicle after they declined. He fled again, attempting to ram police patrol cars during a short pursuit.
“This suspect clearly has zero regard for the safety of anyone on our roadways,” Kent Police said in a statement. “The collaboration between our KPD teams and Seattle PD was critical in finding and arresting this suspect.”
Kent Police emphasized the value of regional partnerships in tracking down suspects. “You may outrun us a time or two,” the department said, “but we communicate and brainstorm solutions with our regional partners. We are going to arrest you sooner or later.”
A concealed pistol license (CPL) violation will be referred to Fife Municipal Court, according to police.
