‘He can’t get out of the car’: Felon with no legs arrested after lengthy Pierce County pursuit
Mar 6, 2026, 3:48 PM
Pierce County deputies found themselves in an unusual pursuit with a 40-year-old convicted felon on Tuesday.
Just after midnight, Pierce County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) deputies located a truck with no working taillights and attempted a routine traffic stop in unincorporated Pierce County, PCSO announced.
As deputies ran the suspect’s license plate, they learned that the same truck had recently fled from daytime deputies the week before. At that time, deputies did not continue the pursuit due to heavy traffic conditions. PCSO also confirmed that the suspect had a felony warrant.
“The suspect decides to take his chances at getting away a second time, but is disappointed to learn the deputies don’t back down this time,” PCSO stated.
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Suspect lost control after deputies used stop sticks to flatten tires
The Tuesday pursuit began at 99th Street and Golden Given Road, with the suspect continuing to flee through Tacoma and eventually onto northbound I-5.
The suspect took the city center exit and then the exit for E. 26th Street, where he lost control of the truck and jumped a curb on E. 26th. Deputies used stop sticks to flatten his tires at some point during the pursuit, and the vehicle was disabled.
Pierce County Deputy Carly Cappetto told KIRO Newsradio what happened when deputies ordered the man to exit his vehicle.
“The deputies doing the felony traffic stop told the man to get out of the car, and the man is complying, but he can’t get out of the car because he doesn’t have any legs,” Deputy Cappetto said.
Cappetto said the man was using makeshift paddles to operate the foot pedals. He crawled out of the car, was handcuffed, and was arrested.
The suspect had a felony warrant for possession of a stolen vehicle and a misdemeanor warrant for driving with a suspended license. The new charges included eluding and another charge for driving with a suspended license.
Contributing: Jason Sutich, MyNorthwest
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