Dashcam video shows pursuit, arrest of man with felony escape warrant in Thurston County

A man with a felony escape warrant for assault is in custody after attempting to elude Thurston County deputies Saturday night.

A Thurston County Sheriff's Office deputy and police dog, Igo, attempted to stop a street bike with boat trailer plates in north Lacey for passing in a no-pass zone. The rider fled the traffic stop, and a pursuit was initiated.

The pursuit entered Interstate 5 heading southbound, where police said the rider reached speeds of 130 mph. Sheriff Derek Sanders said he picked up the quest at exit 109 and followed the bike onto Pacific Ave.

"Most of the time, they flee into Pierce County, but I thought what the heck, I'll go northbound on College Street and see if I can cut it off and, lo and behold, it came my way,” Sanders said.

Officials said the rider then exited the roadway down a grass hill into the back entrance of a trailer park, where Sanders found the bike unoccupied a short time later. The bike was impounded.

TCSO Deputies and Olympia police set up a perimeter while K9 Igo tracked the motorcyclist to a trailer, where he was located and arrested.

The man had an active Department of Corrections felony escape warrant for assault in the second degree with a deadly weapon and was in the possession of suspected narcotics.

He was booked into Thurston County Jail for attempting to elude, driving with a suspended license in the third degree, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, and his warrant.

Sanders said the situation is a good example of where a pursuit for a minor traffic violation allowed deputies to take a dangerous suspect into custody. A few months ago, this pursuit would have been terminated, but state lawmakers adjusted the rules and gave law enforcement officials more discretion in when they can chase fleeing suspects.

"It was just that abrupt don't chase for hardly anything that we never thought was going to work, and it didn't,” Sanders said. "The reality is for the last couple of years, repeat felony offenders, dangerous people, have had their way on our streets but not in Thurston County anymore."

The motorcycle rider, who KOMO News is not identifying because he has not yet been charged, did go before a Thurston County judge on Monday. The suspect, 34, was ordered held on $10,000 bail. Prosecutors have until Wednesday to decide if they will file criminal charges.