The extreme lengths some suspects will go to avoid arrest can be mind-boggling. For one suspect, it turned into a particularly soggy experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On August 13th around 8:30 p.m., our deputies were working a multi-agency emphasis with the Puget Sound Auto Theft Task Force when they spotted a vehicle near 72nd and Portland Ave. that returned with an invalid registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Deputies attempted a traffic stop after developing reasonable suspicion the vehicle could be stolen. Instead of stopping, the driver took off at a high rate of speed. The Sergeant made the decision to back off and allow Washington State Patrol’s airplane, Smokey, to safely track the vehicle from the air. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The driver and passenger eventually pulled into a neighborhood, abandoned the vehicle near the 7000 block of South M Street, and took off on foot. The vehicle turned out not to be stolen, but the suspect driver was not giving up his escape that easily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Smokey providing precise updates from above, deputies tracked the driver as he jumped fences, climbed onto rooftops, and eventually fled into a backyard. That’s where things took an unexpected turn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspect apparently decided the best place to hide was in a pool under a pool cover. Deputies could hear him breathing underneath the cover and gave him multiple commands to come out. He refused. After about 20 minutes, deputies approached and pulled the suspect from the pool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 37-year-old male was arrested for Felony Eluding, Driving While License Suspended in the 1st Degree, and Obstruction. There was no probable cause to arrest the passenger, who also fled on foot. The vehicle was impounded. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
CAUTION! If your escape plan ends with hiding underwater, it’s probably time for a new plan. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
#PierceCounty<\/a> #PCSO<\/a> #LawEnforcement<\/a> #PublicSafety<\/a> #Smokey<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n