Purse robbery in Spanaway leads to gunfire, police pursuit into Sumner, deputies say
A 911 caller who tailed a robbery suspect fleeing a Spanaway grocery store Thursday morning was shot at by the man, according to Pierce County deputies. A high-speed chase led into Sumner where the suspect crashed into a semi truck.
The 911 caller was not hit by the gunfire, and Pierce County Sheriff’s Department deputies said the semi truck driver wasn’t hurt. The suspect, a 33-year-old man, was detained after a short foot chase.
Deputies said the man would be evaluated at a hospital for minor injuries before being booked into jail on suspicion of robbery, assault, eluding police, unlawful possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a stolen vehicle. Sheriff’s Department spokesperson Sgt. Darren Moss said during the pursuit, the suspect reached speeds of up to 125 mph on the highway.
The robbery the man is suspected in was a purse snatching at a store near 15800 Pacific Avenue South, according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department. It was reported at about 9:50 a.m. Deputies said the suspect took the purse by force and fled in an SUV reported stolen in King County. The woman’s purse contained a firearm, but it wasn’t immediately clear if this was the gun used in the shooting.
While deputies were responding to the grocery store, a 911 caller reported he was following the suspect, and that the person had fired a gunshot at him. Deputies said they located the suspect’s vehicle on 104th Street East between Parkland and Puyallup. Law enforcement tried to stop the car, but the driver sped off.
Moss said deputies advise against following suspects in crimes, even in seemingly minor cases of shoplifting. He said it’s better to be a good witness by taking photo or video of what’s happening. Even if the suspect appears unarmed, Moss said they could have a weapon in their car.
“It’s super dangerous because we don’t know what they’re going to do,” Moss said.
Deputies pursued the suspect, chasing him east onto state Route 512 in Puyallup. The chase continued onto northbound state Route 167, where the suspect exited at 24th Street East on the north end of Sumner.
The suspect failed to navigate the turn at the top of the exit ramp and hit a semi truck, deputies said. The suspect ran from the vehicle. Deputies said he was quickly apprehended.
This story was originally published December 29, 2022 at 12:29 PM.
