Police chase down suspect after he stole a tow truck, rammed an Olympia patrol car
Olympia police arrested a man after a lengthy pursuit Saturday evening that started in Olympia and ended in Tenino, police said.
Police Lt. Paul Lower said Summit Towing was called to assist a car stranded on Interstate 5 Saturday evening. The car was being unloaded at the towing company’s lot when the suspect jumped into the driver’s seat of the tow truck and took off.
The suspect drove the tow truck around Olympia and near Lilly Road and 26th Avenue Northeast, where police were able to catch up to him, but they were still trying to confirm it was the stolen truck as the truck drove around downtown Olympia.
When the suspect started toward Lacey, the Lacey Police Department attempted to deploy spike strips on the road, but the suspect spotted them. With police on his tail, the suspect reversed the tow truck and rammed the patrol car behind him, driving the truck up onto the hood of the car.
The suspect drove off but was eventually stopped in Tenino.
The officer who was rammed was taken to the hospital for minor injuries and has since been released.
The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was booked into the Thurston County jail on suspicion of second-degree assault and auto theft.
Portions of 143rd Avenue in Tenino and Martin Way were closed during the incident.
This story was originally published March 28, 2022 at 10:11 AM.
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