A family, including a baby and a toddler, narrowly escaped being run down by a fleeing suspect in a stolen SUV who crashed into a cruiser and parked cars while trying to escape Seattle police last week.
The incident happened shortly before 7 p.m. April 1 after a woman reported her SUV had been stolen from her driveway, according to the Seattle Police Department. With the help of the woman, police were able to track the vehicle to an alley in the city's Eastlake neighborhood.
The suspect spotted officers arriving at the scene as he was getting into the stolen SUV. He tried to escape in the SUV, hitting an empty baby carrier, two parked cars and a cruiser before landing on top of a vehicle. An unconnected family was nearby as the incident unfolded, and the fleeing suspect nearly struck a toddler.
Once the vehicle stopped, the suspect jumped out and began running. Officers tackled the man, and he continued to struggle before officers Tased, and he was taken into custody.
Three officers were injured in the incident.
The suspect, who had an outstanding warrant, was arrested for theft of a motor vehicle, vehicular assault, hit and run, reckless driving, obstructing a public officer, resisting arrest, unlawful possession of a firearm and violation of the uniform controlled substance act. An unloaded 10-round firearms magazine was recovered, as well as vehicle theft tools and drugs.
