A 23-year-old woman sustained a broken nose Friday evening after a man threw a backpack full of stolen guns in her face while fleeing from police. He was arrested a short time later.
Around 8:15 PM, Gang Unit detectives working an emphasis patrol in the South Precinct spotted the 21-year-old man standing in a group near 53rd Avenue South and Renton Avenue South in Rainier Beach, who appeared to be adjusting a handgun tucked in his waistband. The man drove away from the area a short time later, just as police were able to confirm he was wanted on several warrants.
Detectives quickly located the suspect’s vehicle near the 9200 block of Rainier Avenue South, where he jumped out of the car, while carrying a backpack, and began running from officers.
The suspect fled across the parking lot of a grocery store and past a gas station pumps, where he threw his bag into the open window of a vehicle, striking the woman in her face.
Detectives arrested the man a short distance away and seized the backpack, which contained two reportedly stolen handguns, one of which was loaded with a high-capacity magazine.
The woman was transported to an area hospital by a friend for medical treatment.
Police booked the suspect into the King County Jail for assault and multiple warrants.