Whatcom sheriff’s K-9 tracks down suspected truck thieves after wild chase Wednesday
Two men reportedly broke into a Blaine business, stole a truck, smashed through a front gate and led sheriff’s deputies on a nearly 10-mile chase through northern Whatcom County before getting stuck in the mud while trying to avoid spike strips early Wednesday.
Blaine resident Samuel Paul Belles, 21, and Lynden resident Daniel James Isom, 20, were booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of charges that included second-degree burglary, second-degree malicious mischief, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of a stolen vehicle. Jail records show Isom is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail and Belles on $5,000 bail.
Deputies were sent to the 8000 block of Rogers Road at 1:30 a.m. April 1 for the report of an activated alarm and a stolen vehicle at a business, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office release Thursday.
The business owner reported that surveillance video showed Belles and Isom breaking into the business and a short time later crashing through the front gate in a Ford pick-up truck they stole valued at more than $10,000, the release stated.
The business owner reported passing the stolen truck on his way to the business near Portal Way and Loomis Trail roads, according to the release, and deputies located the truck near Birch Bay and attempted to stop it.
But Belles and Isom attempted to flee, leading deputies on a chase for 9.8 miles through Birch Bay, Blaine and other parts in northern Whatcom County, the release stated. Deputies attempted to use a spike strip to end the chase, but the truck reportedly drove into a field and got stuck in mud.
Belles and Isom then attempted to run, but were tracked by a sheriff’s office K-9 and located hiding on top of a shed in the 5000 block of Anderson Road.
