A 33 year-old homicide suspect from Snohomish County is at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tacoma tonight after he led sheriff’s deputies on a high speed chase through Sumner early Tuesday evening.
The man was wanted in connection to a Marysville home invasion robbery that occurred in December of last year and ended in homicide after a robbery suspect was shot.
Police wouldn’t name the suspect in custody tonight, but said he was wanted in connection for ‘major felonies’ in Snohomish County.
The chase itself only lasted about 2 minutes, according to Pierce County Sheriff Sgt. Greg Stonack. It began around 4 p.m. after US Marshall officers located him at a residence on Sumner Tapps Highway and South Tapps Road. When he left, he realized police were pursuing him and he led them on a chase down the hill, through Sumner.
The suspect hit a local woman, who was parked at the stop sign at Elm St. and East Valley Highway, and flipped his car onto a grassy area across the street. Deputies took him into custody immediately after the accident. The female driver sustained minor injuries but was transported to a local hospital, according to deputies.
Stonack wouldn’t guess at the suspect’s speed at time of impact, but he did say the man was traveling at a high rate of speed.
He was seen exiting the truck after the accident wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a high-powered assault rifle, according to police.
Three Sumner Middle School students saw the accident occur – 13 year-old Micah Sanford, 13 year-old Austin Greenwood and 14 year-old Elijah Mester were down the street at the time.
“We saw him going about 110 miles per hour, clip that lady’s car at the stop sign and skid into the curb before it flipped over,” said Sanford. “He pulled out an assault rifle and police jumped on him.”
Sanford said the victim car belonged to his friend’s mom, and that she lived close by.
Sheriff’s deputies are still on the scene and have E. Valley Highway through Elm St. blocked off. Local residents should be advised that Snohomish County detectives will return to the scene this evening to continue their investigation of the crash and it will take a few hours for the road to clear again.
