EVERETT — The legal system is trying to get a better read on the mental health of a Marysville-area man now facing a felony assault charge after a crime spree that landed him behind bars on Christmas Day.

The man, 44, was arrested after he allegedly tried to rob and ram his car into a man, fled from Everett police, crashed and then fought with Marysville officers.

He was charged Friday in Snohomish County Superior Court, and officials are awaiting the results of a competency evaluation, documents show.

The incident began in the parking lot of a QFC store on Broadway in north Everett. A supervisor for Community Transit told police he was in one of the agency’s marked sport-utility vehicles when a stranger approached, deputy prosecutor Julie Mohr wrote.

“I need a gas card County,” the man reportedly said.

The transit worker pointed to the agency logo and told him he wasn’t with the county. The stranger demanded that the official “fill my (expletive) tank.” He reached through the window, slammed the worker’s laptop shut, clobbered him with a speaker and tried to take his lunch box, court papers said.

He then returned with a pocket knife and a struggle ensued when the transit worker tried to close the SUV’s window. The worker used a flashlight to force the man back. The suspect then tried to puncture one of the rig’s tires, and when that didn’t work, reportedly got behind the wheel of his Ford Focus and tried to ram the SUV.

The transit worker was able to use a large planter box as a protective screen, but the Ford still clipped a bumper, causing damage.

An Everett police officer rolled up about that time, and the Ford’s driver sped away, blasting through lights headed toward Marysville.

The officer adhered to department policy and did not pursue. It wasn’t long before there were reports of a crash along northbound I-5. Marysville officers converged and arrested the man, whom they believed to be under the influence. It reportedly took several officers to get the man into a patrol car, Mohr wrote.

The man remained jailed on Tuesday, his bail set at $75,000.

Scott North: 425-339-3431; north@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snorthnews.