A dramatic police chase in Thurston County has ended with the arrest of a suspect accused of stealing a large amount of money from the Cowlitz Tribe.
What started as a routine traffic stop quickly turned into a dangerous pursuit involving school buses, police dogs, and even a helicopter. The incident has raised serious concerns about public safety and crime linked to financial fraud and illegal weapons.
Suspect accused of embezzling over $100,000
According to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were searching for a man accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from the Cowlitz Tribe. The case is being treated as a serious financial crime, and tribal police had already gathered enough evidence to establish probable cause against the suspect and his passenger.
Both individuals are now in custody and have been handed over to Cowlitz Tribal Police for further investigation and legal action.
High-speed chase through busy roads
The incident escalated when deputies spotted the suspect speeding through a crowded intersection at Old Highway 99 and Highway 12 in Grand Mound. There was also a passenger inside the vehicle at the time.
Deputies attempted to stop the truck, but the driver refused to cooperate and instead chose to flee. During the chase, the suspect drove recklessly and even sped past two school buses. This created a dangerous situation for students, drivers, and pedestrians in the area.
Such actions not only increased the seriousness of the charges but also showed complete disregard for public safety.
Crash and search for the suspects
The chase eventually led deputies to a private driveway, where the truck left the road and crashed into a nearby field. By the time officers reached the scene, both occupants had run away.
Cowlitz Tribal Police informed Thurston County deputies that they had probable cause to arrest both the driver and the passenger for embezzlement. This confirmed that the case was not just about fleeing from police, but also involved a major financial crime.
The passenger was found first, hiding in a nearby yard. The search for the driver, however, took more time and required extra resources.
K9 units and aircraft help locate the driver
To find the driver, deputies used multiple advanced resources. K9 Igo and K9 Track were brought in to help track the suspect’s scent. In addition, a Washington State Patrol airplane assisted from above.
After an intense search, the suspect was finally located on a steep hillside near a creek. The difficult terrain made the search challenging, but the combined efforts of deputies, K9 units, and air support led to a successful arrest.
This shows how much coordination and effort law enforcement must use when suspects attempt to escape.
Drugs and weapons found inside the truck
After securing the scene, deputies obtained a warrant to search the truck. What they found inside made the case even more serious. The search uncovered:
- A ziplock bag containing methamphetamine
- An AR-15 rifle
- A handgun without a serial number
- Drug paraphernalia
The presence of illegal drugs and unregistered weapons has added more possible charges against the suspects. These discoveries also raise concerns about what could have happened if the suspects had managed to escape or if the situation had turned more violent.
Case overview for easy understanding
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Grand Mound, Thurston County, Washington |
| Main allegation | Embezzlement of over $100,000 from Cowlitz Tribe |
| Other issues found | Drugs, AR-15, unregistered handgun |
| Police support used | Deputies, K9 units, State Patrol airplane |
| Current status | Both suspects handed to Cowlitz Tribal Police |
