A familiar face among law enforcement circles finds himself in custody once again. This time, it’s after an audacious chase through multiple counties in Washington state, following a retail theft spree. The suspect, notorious for his extensive criminal history, has clocked nearly 100 arrests, making this his 98th encounter with the law.
Authorities have released footage that vividly details the perilous pursuit and subsequent apprehension. The suspect, operating as part of a two-person team, is accused of pilfering thousands of dollars worth of merchandise. Their method was brazen yet cunning: using stolen bags from one store to discreetly take items from another.
The chase began when deputies identified the suspects’ vehicle on Interstate 5 near Olympia. However, before they could safely execute a traffic stop, the driver decided to make a break for it, initiating a high-speed pursuit.
Police dashcam footage from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office captures the intense chase. Deputies are heard over the radio, reporting speeds that soared over 100 miles per hour as the suspects’ pickup truck barreled towards downtown Olympia.
This reckless escapade ultimately came to a halt when the suspects abandoned their vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, only to be swiftly captured by the pursuing officers.
Video from the pursuit captures deputies calling out speeds topping 100 miles per hour as the truck raced toward downtown Olympia.
Officers attempted to stop the vehicle but called off the pursuit when the driver began racing through city streets and intersections, putting others at risk.
A second attempt was also halted for safety reasons as the suspect continued driving recklessly toward Lacey, at times running red lights at speeds near 80 mph, according to radio traffic.
Bodycam video shows a deputy taking aim as a suspect stands with hands raised following a high-speed chase through a neighborhood. (Thurston County WA Sheriff’s Office)
A short time later, the truck was found abandoned near College Street.
Authorities say the suspects ran from the vehicle toward a nearby neighborhood and in the direction of an elementary school, prompting a search.
A K9 team tracked them down minutes later.
Video shows deputies confronting the suspects at gunpoint, repeatedly ordering them to “show me your hands” and “keep walking backwards” before both were taken into custody.
Police video shows the suspect walking with hands on his head before deputies take him into custody moments after a 100 mph chase. (Thurston County WA Sheriff’s Office)
Inside the vehicle, investigators say they found thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise, along with meth, heroin and fentanyl.
Deputies also discovered what they described as a custom-built bong embedded in the dashboard, allegedly allowing the driver to use drugs while behind the wheel.
A suspect arrested for the 98th time is seen surrendering at gunpoint after a high-speed chase, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. (Thurston County WA Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities say they obtained a warrant to test the driver’s blood as part of a DUI investigation.
The suspect, a four-time convicted felon with dozens of prior convictions and 97 previous arrests, now faces charges including DUI, attempting to flee from police, and drug possession.
He is expected to face additional organized retail theft charges in Lewis County once released from the Thurston County Jail. The second suspect was turned over to another police department in connection with a separate theft case.
In a statement, the sheriff’s office highlighted the suspect’s history and the outcome of the arrest:
“Tonight, he is back in jail for the 98th time on charges of DUI, eluding, and possession of narcotics,” Sheriff Derek Sanders wrote in a post. “Nice work by deputies and dispatchers to get some career criminals into custody… again.”
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
