Armed felon arrested for ramming Seattle police vehicle with stolen car

Seattle police arrested a 39-year-old man Wednesday after he allegedly used a stolen car to ram a patrol vehicle, injuring two officers in the Chinatown–International District.

According to the Seattle Police Department, the incident unfolded around 12:30 pm when patrol officers responded to reports of a man passed out behind the wheel of a sports car in an underground parking garage at 400 South Jackson Street. Officers determined the vehicle had been reported stolen on Nov. 24. Police reported that when officers approached, the man woke up and began intentionally ramming their marked vehicle as multiple officers attempted to take him into custody.

Police used a Taser to stop the suspect and took him into custody. SPD said he was arrested on suspicion of multiple offenses, including three counts of first-degree assault, possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, obstructing a law enforcement officer, narcotics possession, and outstanding warrants, including two misdemeanor warrants for driving while license suspended and three felony warrants for burglary. After the arrest, officers reported recovering a stolen handgun, loaded magazines and ammunition, 1.9 grams of methamphetamine, 7.9 grams of marijuana, and burglary tools, including bolt cutters.

The Seattle Fire Department responded to the scene and treated two SPD officers for minor injuries, SPD said. The officers later went to a hospital for medical evaluation related to blood exposure. SFD also treated the suspect at the scene, and medics transported him to Harborview Medical Center for evaluation, SPD said. Once cleared from the hospital, police booked him into the King County Jail. After the arrest, officers reported recovering a stolen handgun, loaded magazines and ammunition, 1.9 grams of methamphetamine, 7.9 grams of marijuana, and burglary tools, including bolt cutters.

In court proceedings on Thursday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested $250,000 bail, and the court set bail at that amount after hearing from prosecutors and defense. The court found probable cause for the arrest on investigation of second-degree assault and first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm, according to first-appearance documents obtained by The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI. SPD said the suspect has prior felony convictions, including burglary and eluding police, and is prohibited from possessing firearms.