Man in custody after chase through Bellingham, alleged threats to harm deputies
A man is in custody at the Whatcom County jail following a high-speed chase Tuesday night in Bellingham.
Deputies from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spotted a vehicle being driven at speeds near 100 mph at the intersection of Guide Meridian and Kelly Road around 10 p.m. April 15, according to Deb Slater with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Police attempted to pull over the driver of the vehicle, who refused to stop and continued to drive at reckless speeds, at one point nearly crashing into another vehicle, Slater told The Herald.
The driver eventually stopped the vehicle in a parking lot in the 400 block of Sequoia Drive.
Deputies ordered the man to exit the vehicle but he refused. He told deputies he had a gun with him and would use it to shoot police. He also claimed to possess an explosive device of some kind.
Backup officers from the sheriff’s office soon arrived, as well as units from the Bellingham Police Department and Washington State Patrol. Sheriff’s office crisis negotiators assisted, and the suspect was taken into custody.
The suspect was in possession of a 14-inch knife, Slater said.
He was arrested on suspicion of threat to bomb or injure property, a class B felony, and felony harassment and attempting to elude a police vehicle, class C felonies. He was also arrested on suspicion of reckless driving, violation of ignition interlock and possession of dangerous weapons — all gross misdemeanors — and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.
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