A woman released from custody following a court hearing in Olympia may face charges after Thurston County deputies reported she burned papers at a closed park and led law enforcement on a vehicle pursuit.
A judge found probable cause for charges but released the suspect because she had no prior criminal record.
Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies say they initially approached the woman at approximately 1 a.m. Saturday at the Nisqually fishing area, a location closed during nighttime hours.
According to deputies, the woman stated she was burning documents containing Social Security numbers because she lacked access to a paper shredder.
When deputies asked the woman for identification, she allegedly provided a false name.
Body camera footage captured the conversation as officers instructed a woman to cease burning papers on state property.
“You out here by yourself?,” asked the deputy. “You can’t be out here when it’s dark. You’re not supposed to burn anywhere, honestly.”
The deputy added, “You’re trespassing on state property.”
The woman then attempted to leave the area while holding a stick, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement officers.
“You’re threatening me now, stay the f*** away from me,” the woman told the deputy after he ordered her to stop.
As the woman went to her car, the deputy deployed a taser, which did not stop the woman from getting in the car.
A second deputy arrived and attempted to block her path, but she drove away and ran a stop sign during a pursuit.
Deputies eventually executed a pursuit intervention technique maneuver, forcing her vehicle into a ditch.
No injuries were reported.
Court filings indicate deputies noted the scent of alcohol on the woman and observed an open container inside her vehicle.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders commented on the decision to burn materials under dry weather conditions.
“Definitely odd behavior to gather up your belongings, drive into a different county… and just start burning things on state property during a burn ban… when we know the weather’s been dry… problems with sparks and fires,” Sanders said.
If formal charges are brought against the woman, an arraignment is scheduled for next week.