Police arrest man suspected of offering firefighters a ‘whippet’ before ramming their truck
Aug 7, 2025, 2:44 PM | Updated: 6:34 pm
A Kent Police Departemnt vehicle. (Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of KIRO 7)
A 38-year-old Tacoma man accused of ramming a Seattle fire truck and offering firefighters a whippet has been arrested following a multi-agency investigation.
The Kent Police Department’s Crime Reduction Unit and Special Investigations Unit, working with Seattle police, located and arrested the suspect during his lunch break outside his workplace in Fife on Wednesday. He was armed with a handgun at the time of his arrest, according to a post on the Kent Police Department’s Facebook page.
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He was booked on multiple charges, including three counts of eluding police, attempted second-degree assault, and reckless driving.
The suspect first drew attention on June 20, when a Seattle officer spotted him attempting to retrieve his impounded vehicle from a tow yard. He allegedly reversed into the officer’s patrol car before fleeing, the post said.
Days later, Kent officers attempted to stop him for reckless driving, but the pursuit was called off for safety reasons.
On August 3, the suspect reportedly offered firefighters a whippet — nitrous oxide used recreationally — before ramming their fire truck and taking off. Police said he later attempted to ram patrol cars during a brief pursuit.
Authorities said the arrest was the result of coordinated efforts between Kent and Seattle police departments.
Frank Lenzi is the News Director for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here.
