Suspect Arrested After Jumping Into Yakima River

On 08/12/2011, shortly before 0530 hrs, a Yakima County Sheriff’s patrol deputy observed a white 1991 Honda passenger car that was exhibiting erratic lane travel in the area of Hwy 24 and University Parkway in Yakima County. The deputy also observed that there were no working taillights on the vehicle.

The deputy attempted to perform a traffic stop at that location. The suspect vehicle then fled westbound on Hwy 24 at high speeds. The deputy followed with lights and siren activated. At the entrance to the Yakima Arboretum, the suspect driver locked up the brakes, slid through three lanes of travel and came to a stop in the middle of the outside lane of the highway.

The suspect climbed out of the already broken driver side door window and fled northbound, climbing over the fence, and disappearing into an auto wrecking lot located north of the highway and adjacent to the Yakima Greenway. The deputy’s taser was deployed, but was not successful in stopping the suspect who was already going over the fence into the wrecking yard.

Sheriff’s deputies, assisted by units from Yakima PD, Selah PD, and Moxee PD were able to establish a perimeter around the wrecking yard and the adjacent Greenway. A K-9 unit was requested from the Yakima Police Department to perform a search of the wrecking yard.

It was also learned at this time that the vehicle had been stolen at approximately 0230 hrs from a residence inside the City of Yakima. YPD units took a signed stolen report of the vehicle.

The officers searching the wrecking yard were able to track the suspect through the large lot, and subsequently followed the trail out onto the greenway path. After further searching, the suspect was located along the bank of the river after getting himself out under his own power.

The suspect then went further out into the river and was overtaken by the current. He yelled for help, and was seen further out in the water. A water rescue team activation was made, which brought water response personnel from the Yakima Sheriff’s Office, Yakima Fire Department, Training Center Fire Department, and the East Valley Fire Department, and ALS Ambulance. The YFD rescue boat was launched from the Century Landing area and was making it’s way upstream to assist in searching for the suspect.

Prior to the boats arrival, the suspect was located in the water near the edge of the river and was taken into custody. After being checked by medical personnel at the scene, he was transported to the Yakima County Jail and booked on multiple charges including: Possessing a Stolen Vehicle, Eluding a Police Officer, Burglary, and various misdemeanor and traffic charges.

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