Last night, Olympia Police Department received a Flock LPR hit on a vehicle operated by a drug dealer they were searching for who was known to be armed with a handgun. Olympia Officers followed the suspect down I5 and requested assistance from TCSO with a Grappler unit. Unfortunately for this particular drug dealer, TCSO had 20+ deputies, multiple K9’s, and multiple grappler equipped vehicles on patrol tonight.

TCSO attempted a traffic stop and the driver fled, at which point I authorized a pursuit. The driver exited onto Maytown Rd and then down Case Rd when the grappler was successfully deployed, immobilizing the suspect and ending the pursuit 2 minutes and 25 seconds in. No damage was done to the patrol vehicle.

The driver was taken into custody with the help of K9 Asher. An empty holster was located on him along with visible drug paraphernalia in the car. A search warrant was granted, which yielded narcotics, scales, and baggies inside the vehicle. One of our deputies asked the suspect what you’re supposed to do when the police activate their lights, to which he replied “hit the gas”.

The suspect had multiple warrants out for his arrest, to include a felony DOC escape warrant and warrants for violating a domestic violence protection order. He has been booked into Thurston County jail for his warrants, possession of narcotics with intent to deliver, and attempting to elude.

The odds of being a successful drug dealer in Thurston County are becoming slimmer with every passing day, but those odds get even lower when your getaway car is a Prius.

Solid teamwork across the board tonight, great job by OPD for locating this individual to help get another drug dealer off our streets.