A 19-time convicted felon with an active escape warrant led law enforcement on a stolen-car chase through south Thurston County early Saturday before deputies finally stopped him in Tumwater, officials said. The driver was behind the wheel of a stolen Honda Civic and refused to pull over, kicking off a multi-agency pursuit that started in Tenino and ended with a forced stop in Tumwater. Deputies said they yanked him from the car at the scene to keep him from bolting into a more populated area.
According to Sheriff Derek Sanders, it all started when Olympia police were dispatched to a report of an auto theft on the city’s west side. Not long after, a Tenino officer spotted the Honda and tried to pull it over. The driver kept going, and the chase rolled north toward Tumwater, as reported by FOX 13 Seattle.
How deputies stopped the car
Deputies first tried to end the pursuit using grappler devices, but those attempts did not work. Officers then moved to spike strips, which successfully deflated the Civic’s tires. A Thurston County deputy followed up with a PIT maneuver that finally brought the car to a stop, and deputies pulled the driver from the vehicle and took him into custody, according to KIRO 7.
Suspect's record and charges
Investigators identified the suspect as a 19-time convicted felon. His prior convictions include possession of stolen property, attempting to elude, burglary, unlawful possession of a firearm, robbery, second-degree assault involving strangulation and intimidating a witness, authorities said. He also had an active escape warrant for assault. After Saturday’s chase, he was booked into the Thurston County Jail on suspicion of auto theft, attempting to elude, DUI and driving with a suspended license, per FOX 13 Seattle.
Who responded
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office said the pursuit and arrest drew in multiple agencies, including Olympia police, Thurston County deputies, Washington State Patrol and Tenino police. The sheriff’s office later shared details of the incident on its social channels, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Sanders also offered a rundown of the chase in his post.
What happens next
The suspect remains in custody while prosecutors review the case, and formal charges are expected to follow. Jail booking records list him as being held on suspicion of auto theft, attempting to elude, DUI and driving on a suspended license while deputies continue their investigation, according to KIRO 7.
