THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — A six-time convicted felon is back in custody after allegedly attempting to steal a tractor during a commercial burglary, sparking a high-speed pursuit and a standoff before the suspect ultimately surrendered, according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oct. 28 incident began after a neighbor reported a burglary in progress, the department stated. The caller stated a suspect had broken into a shop and was using a stolen tractor to ram the building’s doors open.
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When deputies arrived, they found the building heavily damaged, the gate cut open and a white pickup truck fleeing the scene. A pursuit was immediately initiated.
With assistance from Chehalis Tribal Police, spike strips were successfully deployed. A TCSO sergeant then used a Grappler device to safely bring the pursuit to an end just over two minutes later.
The suspect fled on foot into nearby brush. K-9 Manny and his handler began tracking when the suspect opened fire. Deputies retreated, retrieved rifles, and established a perimeter while SWAT officers responded.
Olympia Police K-9 Arco and his handler later located the suspect concealed in thick brush. According to Sheriff Derek Sanders, the suspect threatened to shoot and told deputies, “The only way I’m dropping this gun is after I pull the trigger.”
After approximately 30 minutes of negotiations, the suspect surrendered peacefully. A firearm was later found in a nearby trash can.
Investigators say the pickup truck was stolen during the burglary and the suspect caused thousands of dollars in damage while attempting to steal additional power equipment and tractors, according to the department.
The suspect has a lengthy criminal history, including six felony convictions for offenses such as methamphetamine distribution, stolen property possession, burglary and police evasion, along with 13 misdemeanor convictions including assault, resisting arrest and reckless driving.
He is currently being medically evaluated and will be booked into Thurston County Jail on multiple charges:
- Burglary first degree
- Auto theft
- Theft, first degree
- Two counts of attempted theft, first degree
- Malicious mischief, first degree
- Attempting to elude
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon
“The level of skill, communication, and discipline... is probably as close as you can get to perfect patrol tactics and decision making,” Sanders said in a statement.
