Who’s a good boy? Whatcom K-9 tracks and catches two fleeing suspects in one night
Approximately 90 minutes after tracking down a man who attempted to elude law enforcement in a stolen car, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Jag located another man who led deputies on a chase after he reportedly hit a railroad crossing.
Deputies booked Aaron Michael Lancaster, 47 of Ferndale, into Whatcom County Jail Saturday, Jan. 4, on suspicion of hit and run of an attended vehicle, attempting to elude a police vehicle, DUI, first-degree malicious mischief and resisting arrest. Jail records show Lancaster is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
A deputy first spotted a pickup truck being driven by Lancaster while waiting for a train to pass near the intersection of Grandview Road and Portal Way, according to information provided to The Bellingham Herald by Chief Deputy Kevin Hester.
After the train passed, the pickup, which was towing a trailer, quickly accelerated through the crossing, snapping off one of the crossing arms, Hester said.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe is still looking into the cost to repair the damage and the impacts it will have in the area, spokesperson Gus Melonas told The Herald.
After hitting the crossing, Lancaster began driving recklessly down the road and ran a stop sign at the intersection of Grandview Road and Vista Drive, Hester said. Deputies attempted to stop the truck, but Lancaster reportedly refused until he came to a dead end on a private drive off of Brown Road.
Lancaster got out of the truck and ran, but Jag apprehended him after a short chase through a large field, Hester said.
But Lancaster began to fight with Jag, Hester said, and suffered a bite to the arm during the struggle before deputies took him into custody. Lancaster was treated for the bite at the hospital before being booked into jail.
This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
