On February 7th at around 12:41 a.m., a West Precinct patrol officer was on routine patrol in the 1500 block of 2nd Avenue. The officer observed about a dozen people crowded in and around the doorway of a closed restaurant. The officer suspected that drug dealing was taking place and personally observed several hand to hand contacts, with various individuals engaging the same individual.
The officer got out of his car and approached the group. A man muttered, “cops” as the officer approached. The people congregated there began to scatter. The individual that the officer suspected of being the “dealer” walked away. The officer identified himself and ordered this man to stop. Instead of obeying, he broke out into a full a sprint down 2nd Avenue. The officer gave chase and during the pursuit, saw the suspect throw a plastic bag over his head onto an awning.
The suspect attempted to flee into the bus tunnel but he was ultimately apprehended. The plastic bag was recovered. It contained approximately 50 grams of suspected crack cocaine. The crack cocaine was field tested (it tested positive) and placed into Evidence. The suspect had $242, which was also seized and placed into Evidence. The 18 year old suspect was booked into King County Jail for the narcotics violation.