MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Man in Tree part two: Anacortes police chase man up a tree, negotiate

Jul 22, 2016, 5:39 PM | Updated: Jul 23, 2016, 11:36 am

After fighting with a police officer and pulling a box cutter on him, a man climbed a tree in Anacortes where police negotiated with him. (Eddie Murdoch Photography)

(Eddie Murdoch Photography)

Update

The man in an Anacortes tree finally came down late Friday night.

After negotiators spent hours talking with the man up the 60-70 foot tree, a lawyer was brought in to talk to him. After speaking with the lawyer, he came down on his own.

Original

In a sequel to Seattle’s man in tree, Anacortes police are negotiating with a man who climbed a tall tree after a Friday afternoon chase through town.

Negotiators are on the scene attempting to get the man down, but police prepared to stay as long as they need.

The incident began on the ground when an officer noticed a car parked near Heart Lake around 11 a.m.

“One of our officers observed a male in a car in a parking lot,” said Anacortes Police Chief Bonnie Bowers.

Bowers said it is “out of place” for someone to be parked in that area.

“The male seemed distracted,” Bowers said. “The officer ran the plate on the car — it came back as stolen. He went to contact the man, the officer started to ask him some questions, the man became quite nervous and ran from the officer.”

The officer ran after the man and a fight ensued. The officer hit the man with a stun gun twice, but it had no effect.

“The man then pulled out a box cutter,” Bowers said. “The officer then pulled out his firearm and backed away. The man ran off.”

The man ran into the city’s forest lands — an area with about 1,500 acres of trees and trails. Two K9 search teams were called in. Eventually, a citizen spotted the suspect exiting the tree line and officers moved in.

“When he realized he was surrounded, he climbed a 60-70 foot tree, where he is now,” Bowers said.

Bowers said that they know who the man is — a 27-year-old from Whatcom County. She said he is a transient with Anacortes ties — perhaps a girlfriend in the area.

MyNorthwest News

Photo: On Monday, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced there will be 16 new preschool classrooms across Se...

Julia Dallas

Harrell’s office announces Seattle preschool slots for thousands of kids

Thousands more families will have the chance to start their children's Seattle preschool education earlier, thanks to a program launching.

4 hours ago

Digital...

Micki Gamez

How parents can help prevent children from falling victim to online sex crimes

Chances are, if your teen has a cell phone or tablet, they either know someone or they have been the victim of an online sex crime because kids as young as seven are online more than ever. My interest in this story began almost the same time last year when my daughter came home and […]

8 hours ago

Pierce County Jail...

Bill Kaczaraba

Pierce County Corrections chief at odds with the employee guild

The Corrections Bureau's Guild has issued Patti Jackson a vote of 'no confidence,' as reported by The Tacoma News Tribune.

10 hours ago

Image: A Seattle Police Department vehicle seen during the day...

Sam Campbell

Security guard stabbed, suspect barricades inside Beacon Hill apartment

SWAT officers surrounded a complex in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood after police said a man stabbed a guard barricaded himself inside.

11 hours ago

seattle indecent exposure...

Frank Sumrall

Seattle man arrested for 14 counts of indecent exposure, most near schools

A 34-year-old man was arrested by Seattle police (SPD) in connection to 14 counts of indecent exposure near Lake Forest Park.

11 hours ago

Federal Way shootings...

Bill Kaczaraba

Federal Way Police say two shootings are related

Police believe two shootings in Federal Way are related.

14 hours ago

Man in Tree part two: Anacortes police chase man up a tree, negotiate