ARLINGTON — What started out as a simple call to help a stranded driver turned into a manhunt Thursday night.
It prompted a warning about being careful when stopping to help people along highways.
Around 8:45 p.m., the Washington State Patrol received a call from a driver who said his car broke down on southbound I-5 north of Arlington.
A few minutes later, a trooper found the man next to his car. The trooper smelled alcohol and noticed a six pack of beer and a 24-ounce can of beer next to the car, trooper Keith Leary said.
The trooper began to question the man, who said he was 19 and from Seattle.
That’s when the trooper decided to place the suspect under arrest being for minor in possession of alcohol.
The suspect resisted and ran away.
The man was able to get one of the handcuffs free while running across the freeway. He nearly was hit by a passing car, Leary said.
Troopers and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office deputies searched for the suspect and found him a half-hour later near another I-5 exit.
Fingerprints identified the suspect as a gang member wanted on a warrants alleging statutory rape and drunken driving. He’s 22.
The man was booked into the Snohomish County Jail for investigation of making a misleading statement to a public servant, obstructing police and resisting arrest.
“It goes to show that we never know what we may roll up on during a shift,” Leary said. “We have to be on our game 100 percent of the time we are out there.”
Leary said it should serve as a reminder to drivers to be wary when offering help to strangers along the highway.
“If a citizen would have stopped and helped this person, they would not have known this person’s history or what their future potential is,” Leary said. “It is better to call the Washington State Patrol if you see a stranded motorist on the interstate or state route.”
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com
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