A dramatic police chase in Thurston County ended with the arrest of two suspects, including a repeat offender accused of stealing a large amount of money from the Cowlitz Tribe. The incident involved multiple law enforcement agencies, a K9 unit, and even a State Patrol airplane, showing just how serious the situation had become.
What Happened During the Thurston County Police Pursuit
The incident began when a Ram 1500 TRX truck reportedly ran a red light at a busy intersection and refused to stop for a deputy. Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders said he was on his way to a candlelight vigil for Karen Bodine in Rochester when he received the alert.
As deputies tried to stop the truck, the driver sped off, leading police on a dangerous pursuit. At one point, the vehicle was heading toward two school buses on 183rd Avenue at a very high speed. Concerned for public safety, deputies made the decision to slow down and eventually lost sight of the truck.
Even after losing visual contact, officers did not give up. Sheriff Sanders and his team continued searching across unincorporated areas of Thurston County, hoping to locate the suspects before anyone was hurt.
Suspect Vehicle Found and Crash Ends the Chase
The original pursuing deputy later found the suspect truck on a narrow, one-lane private driveway. According to Sanders, the deputy and the truck ended up heading directly toward each other before the driver suddenly turned and fled again.
The suspect then drove through a field and eventually crashed the vehicle. This marked a key turning point in the pursuit.
Moments later, Washington State Patrol’s airplane, known as Smokey, arrived overhead. Within seconds, the aircraft crew was able to spot both the crashed truck and the suspect who was running from the scene.
Arrest of Passenger and K9 Track for Main Suspect
While deputies focused on finding the main suspect, they also managed to locate the passenger, who was found walking through someone’s yard nearby. The passenger was detained without resistance.
The main suspect, however, continued to run. That is when K9 Igo was brought in. The police dog tracked the suspect through rough terrain, down into a creek bed and back up the other side. With real-time guidance from the State Patrol airplane, deputies were able to stay on the right path.
The suspect attempted to flee once more by running back down the steep hillside toward the creek, but K9 Igo caught up with him. He was then taken into custody without further incident.
Serious Evidence Found Inside the Truck
After the arrest, Sheriff Sanders obtained a search warrant for the truck. What deputies discovered inside raised even more concerns.
Items reportedly recovered included:
- Property belonging to the Cowlitz Tribe
- A zip-lock bag full of meth
- An unserialized AR-15-style rifle
- An unserialized handgun
- Drug paraphernalia
Sanders later praised the teamwork between agencies, crediting the successful outcome to strong coordination.
Agencies involved in the operation included:
- Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO)
- Cowlitz Tribal Police
- Washington State Patrol Aviation
- Chehalis Tribal Police
- Lewis County Sheriff’s Office
- TCOMM911
Suspect Linked to Embezzlement Case
One of the two suspects is believed to be a seven-time convicted felon accused of embezzling around $100,000 from the Cowlitz Tribe. Although the suspect’s name has not been released publicly, he has been handed over to the Cowlitz Tribal Police for booking and further investigation.
This case highlights not only the seriousness of the alleged financial crime but also the added danger created when suspects choose to flee from law enforcement.
