City of Seattle, WA

09/10/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2021 11:38

Police Arrest Man Friday After He Carjacked a Semi-Truck, Sideswiped a Cop Car, and Committed Burglaries and Robberies

Seattle police arrested a 44-year-old man early Friday after he reportedly carjacked a semi-truck driver at gunpoint in Tukwila, sideswiped an SPD patrol officer as he drove the truck up Interstate 5, abandoned the vehicle, and then committed a series of burglaries and robberies on First Hill.

Around 10:30 PM, the suspect in the semi-truck struck an SPD patrol vehicle on I-5, northbound near Swift Avenue/South Albro Place. The officer sustained minor injuries, and police quickly began searching for the suspect.

Police found the semi-truck and attached 53-foot trailer abandoned in the carpool lane near the I-90/I-5 interchange. Officers found a gun and knife on the floor, blood on the driver's door handle, and an apparent bullet hole in a window.

A short time later, a Washington State Patrol trooper spotted a shoeless man running on the freeway a short distance away. Not long after that, police received reports of a possible car prowl near the scene, followed a short time later by a report of a burglary nearby. The suspect matched the description of the man seen by a trooper.

Police then received a report of a possible car prowl involving the same suspect in the 800 block of Jefferson Street. A man then flagged down officers in the 700 block of Cherry Street and said someone on the second floor of a nearby building was screaming for help.

The suspect had armed himself with a rock, smashed the glass door of an apartment building, and made his way inside. He unsuccessfully attempted to rob a man for his cellphone inside the building before he made his way to the second floor, broke down the door of an apartment and threw a rock through a large window to make an escape.

The resident, concerned the suspect would be seriously injured in his fall from the window, grabbed him and prevented him from jumping. The suspect then attempted to steal the resident's laptop, leading to a physical confrontation. The resident then escorted the suspect out of the apartment.

The suspect made his way back down the stairs of the apartment building, where officers found him, covered in blood, and took him into custody.

The suspect, who appeared to be in a state of crisis, was taken to Harborview Medical Center for a DUI blood draw, and treatment for cuts and other injuries sustained during the duration of the incident.

Police then booked him into the King County Jail for burglary, robbery, and malicious mischief.

The Washington State Patrol is investigating the suspect for DUI and hit and run, and Tukwila Police are investigating the carjacking of the semi-truck.