Fleeing suspects finally stopped in Tacoma Saturday night, Thurston sheriff says

A man and woman wanted by law enforcement were arrested on suspicion of new crimes Saturday night after they fled from Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies and into Pierce County.

That’s according to Thurston Sheriff Derek Sanders, who shared details of the arrest on social media.

The pursuit began when a deputy attempted to stop an unlicensed vehicle in the Nisqually area, according to Sanders.

“The driver fled, and a pursuit was initiated,” he wrote.

The male driver fled to Tacoma and was later stopped with the assistance of the Tacoma Police Department in the area of East 55th Street and East North Street.

“The female passenger was immediately taken into custody, but the male driver tried to flee while ditching a large amount of money he had with him. He was quickly apprehended on foot,” Sanders said in his post.

The man was arrested on suspicion of eluding law enforcement, possession of fentanyl with intent to deliver, driving with a suspended license, obstruction and four outstanding warrants, according to Sanders.

The woman was booked on suspicion of first-degree criminal impersonation and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, fentanyl, said Sanders.

“While on her way to the hospital to be medically cleared, she obtained some fentanyl from her genital area (while handcuffed) and tried to swallow it,” he wrote.

She also had active warrants for escape, second-degree theft, making false statements and first-degree identity theft, according to Sanders.