Man charged in car-jacking, kidnapping

By Scott North

Herald Writer

A Lynnwood officer was hailed as a hero Monday for stopping a four-time convicted felon now accused of speeding away from police May 15 in a stolen car carrying two children.

Jeremiah John Branderhorst, 22, of Everett was charged with second-degree kidnapping, auto theft and attempting to elude police.

Snohomish County deputy prosecutor Mark Roe alleged the man stole a 1987 Buick Century containing two children, ages 2 years and 11-months-old. The children’s mother had briefly left them alone in the unlocked car while she was inside an apartment.

Police converged when the woman realized her car and children were gone. Branderhorst apparently realized the children were in the car, because he drove back to the apartment, and then sped away when he spotted police, Roe alleged.

The chase reached speeds of up to 65 mph on residential streets. The fleeing driver crashed into other cars, shot through a red light and lost control of the vehicle, hopping a berm and driving at oncoming traffic, the prosecutor said.

Officer Jason Valentine decided to stop the driver before he seriously injured somebody, Roe wrote. The officer maneuvered behind the car and bumped it with his patrol car, causing it to spin out.

"The defendant jumped out and ran, leaving the kids, the engine running and the car rolling," Roe wrote. "Valentine was rolling himself, right out of his car, giving chase on foot while other officers took care of the children."

The chase ended when Valentine tackled Branderhorst, putting the man upside down in a garbage can when the handcuffs were snapped on his wrists, according to court papers.

The children were uninjured, but terrified and screaming when police reached the stolen car.

Branderhorst appeared drunk. He was screaming and swearing, but stopped long enough to ask how long he’d get in prison for "the (expletive) I just did," according to court papers.

"The answer to that, as charged, would appear to be 41-54 months, unless charges are increased," the prosecutor wrote.

Branderhorst has been jailed in lieu of $50,000 bail. He has prior convictions for robbery, assault, possession of stolen property and theft.

The defendant put a number of people at risk, especially the children, Roe wrote.

"It appears that the courageous actions of Jason Valentine are all that prevented a tragic conclusion to the defendant’s latest criminal actions," the prosecutor added.

You can call Herald Writer Scott North at 425-339-3431

or send e-mail to north@heraldnet.com.

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