Man threw chainsaws at police during Pierce County pursuit, charges say
A police pursuit that involved chainsaws being thrown at Pierce County sheriff’s deputies ended in two arrests near the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military base Sunday night.
A caller reported about 11:50 p.m. that her 2006 Ford F-250 truck was stolen from an apartment complex in the Parkland area. A K-9 deputy reported minutes later he saw the vehicle trying to leave the area. A pursuit began after an attempted traffic stop, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post.
Two men were in the car on Interstate 5 southbound. Deputies saw the front-seat passenger throwing out a chainsaw and rope gear from the pickup during the pursuit. Deputies believe it was an attempt to disable the pursuing vehicles or cause them to crash, the post said. Charging documents show a second chainsaw was thrown out of the vehicle.
The truck exited towards the JBLM logistics gate, went off the road and got stuck. The driver and passenger ran from the truck.
A police dog found the 31-year-old passenger back in the truck, the post said. He was taken to a hospital for the dog bite from the police dog. The passenger was charged with second-degree assault and obstructing a law enforcement officer Tuesday.
The passenger told deputies he allegedly threw the chainsaws out the window but denied stealing the truck, according to charging documents. Washingotn State Patrol officers reported one of its patrol vehicles had significant damage after it hit one of the chainsaws.
Military police found the 28-year-old driver, and he was taken to the Pierce County Jail. He was charged with second-degree assault, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and obstructing a law enforcement officer. Pierce County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Megan Foley set bail at $50,000.
