An auto theft suspect remains in jail tonight on multiple charges after assaulting and injuring a female patrol officer in the International District.
On January 25th at approximately 11:29 p.m. an officer on patrol discovered a stolen license plate on the rear of a parked vehicle in the 500 block of 6th Avenue South. She turned around and ran the front plate on the car which was different from the rear plate. As she investigated the suspicious vehicle further the suspect returned, got into the car, and then exited the vehicle. The suspect saw the officer and the made it appear as if he were checking the parking meter located nearby. The officer approached the scene and detained the male suspect while calling for back up units.
As backup officers arrived on scene the suspect got into a physical altercation with the officer, and began shoving her backwards and up against cars. The suspect was able to break free of the officer’s hold on him and ran southbound from the location. One of the backup officers began chasing the suspect on foot.
A nearby witness observed the foot pursuit and when the suspect reversed his course and ran back towards the witness, the witness grabbed the suspect and threw him to the ground. Officers quickly approached and took the suspect into custody.
The female officer sustained a broken finger from the struggle with the suspect and was treated at Harborview Medical Center.
The 41-year-old male suspect was booked into the King County Jail for Felony Assault on a Police Officer, Auto Theft, Felony Possession of Stolen Property and on a warrant for Failing to Appear on a Domestic Violence Assault charge.
The suspicious vehicle the officer had been investigating was determined to be stolen out of Vancouver, Washington.
This remains an active and on-going investigation.