Tukwila Police: Man bit and kicked officers while resisting arrest

TUKWILA, Wash. — Two officers with the Tukwila Police Department were taken to the hospital and were treated for injuries sustained while trying to take a man into custody on Tuesday.

Police said a 26-year-old Richland man was acting suspiciously in the 14400 block of Tukwila International Blvd., and they watched him get into a stolen vehicle.

When officers approached the vehicle, they said the man jumped up and ran.

"The suspect ignored very loud and clear commands to stop during his short sprint to avoid arrest," police said.

When trying to take the man into custody, police said he bit an officer, and he attempted to take the officer's taser and the officer's firearm from its holster.

"Another officer who assisted with restraining the suspect was also bitten, kicked and assaulted by the suspect," police said.

According to police, the entire struggle lasted for over four minutes. They said officials found a stolen gun in the vehicle in which the suspect initially tried to flee.

Officials said one of the officers will be sidelined for several weeks while he recovers from his injuries.

Police said the suspect was also treated for injuries sustained in the struggle and was booked into jail on suspicion of two counts of third-degree assault, resisting arrest, attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, possession of a stolen firearm and obstruction.

"Thank you to all the members of the Tukwila community and the public that expressed well wishes for the officers the past couple of days. It meant a lot to them to see such amazing support from our community and city officials," a spokesperson for the department wrote in a news release.

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