Police arrested a 25-year-old man after he used a stolen vehicle to ram a patrol car Friday morning in the Eastlake neighborhood.
Officers were called to the 2000 block of Franklin Ave East when a resident saw a vehicle parked in the middle of the roadway with two men inside. The officers arrived just after 6 a.m. and found two men asleep in a car with the engine running and the vehicle in “drive”. The suspicious car was completely blocking the narrow residential street.
Officers positioned a patrol car immediately in front of the vehicle, as the only thing keeping it in place was the sleeping driver’s foot.
Officers attempted to put the car into “Park” as the man was roused from his sleep. The suspect put the car into “reverse” backed up several car lengths before driving forward at a high rate of speed smashing into the patrol car as well as another vehicle parked on the street. The officers retreated to avoid being hit by the car.
The suspect jumped from the car with officers giving chase. Officers caught up to and arrested the driver. Police are still seeking the passenger.
Officers discovered after tracking the VIN number that the vehicle was in fact stolen. Police could also see license plates inside the car, which appear to have come from other stolen vehicles. Officers impounded the car and will search it after a warrant is obtained.
Police booked the man into King County Jail on investigation of theft and malicious mischief.