A man suspected of pulling a gun after he was caught trying to steal a pair of jeans led police on a high-speed chase of more than 100 miles per hour from Olympia all the way to Tacoma.
Police said the suspect left a trail of destruction when he exited Interstate 5 in Lakewood and hit several cars. The man drove a car to south 50th and South Tacoma Way in Tacoma where he nearly ran down business owner Dennis O'Malley.
“I can move pretty fast for an old man when they come roaring at me at about 60 miles per hour,” O’Malley said.
Then the suspect was caught on surveillance camera several times. He approached Kenny Yates, who was working at Precision Auto Body, and asked him for a ride just as police showed up.
“They drew their guns and told everybody to get on the ground,” said Yates.
Catherine Buckhalter came to the scene of the arrest saying the man is her half-brother. Buckhalter said she was frustrated because she couldn’t find out why he was being arrested. “I don’t know what’s going on really, I’m trying to figure it out,” said Buckhalter.
The man was taken to Tacoma General Hospital after his arrest, complaining of health problems. Police said he was not injured during the chase.
A Washington State Patrol trooper interviewed a JBLM soldier whose car was struck by the high-speed chase suspect.
PFC Cameron Bailey says he was on the Bridgeport exit and saw a red car flying off the freeway toward him.
The red car hit Bailey on the rear driver’s side and scraped along, bending the rear-view mirror.
Bailey then saw several police cars with lights and sirens.
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