Thurston County man arrested after damaging multiple cars in Lacey and running off

A 40-year-old Thurston County man was arrested on charges of third-degree assault, malicious mischief and resisting arrest after damaging several vehicles between Quinault Drive and Skokomish Way in Lacey on Friday afternoon.

Police reported that they believe the suspect was under the influence of an unknown substance.

Lacey police were dispatched to the area of America’s Credit Union on Quinault Drive at 12:22 p.m. on June 27 after receiving several reports of a man with a gun.

According to Police Sgt. Jeremy Knight, officers believe the unidentified armed man was a victim of the suspect’s break-ins and attempting to intervene as the suspect damaged several nearby vehicles. Another victim kept track of the suspect after he ripped a mirror off of the victim’s truck. Victims told police the suspect was hitting vehicles with a stick.

The suspect traveled eastbound where police converged on him on the 8600 block of Skokomish Way.

Police said the suspect entered a backyard that was not his own and retreated into a rhododendron bush, prompting officers to order his surrender multiple times. When the suspect refused to comply, an officer threw several pepper balls into the bush which prompted the suspect to emerge.

The suspect then charged aggressively toward the officer who had thrown the pepper balls and was immediately tackled and detained. Police used a WRAP device to restrain the suspect before taking him to the Thurston County jail.

The suspect and three officers sustained minor injuries, according to Knight.