Wanted suspect in custody after police activity closes I-5 lanes near Lewis-Thurston County line
Nov 2, 2026, 6:00 AM
(Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff's Office)
(Photo courtesy of Thurston County Sheriff's Office)
A wanted suspect is in custody after leading Washington State Patrol (WSP) and Thurston County deputies on a chase “back and forth” over the Thurston County and Lewis County line Sunday, Nov. 1.
Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders wrote on Facebook that WSP asked for help to stop a car they say was shooting at them heading southbound on I-5 close to Grand Mound.
Thurston County deputies responded to their call, and after the suspect went back across the Lewis-Thurston County line heading north, deputies deployed a spike strip to stop the car, according to Sheriff Sanders.
After using the spike strip on the suspect’s tires, Sheriff Sanders wrote the car hit a barrier “just before the exit 88 overpass.”
The suspect then ran from the car, and deputies chased the suspect over I-5, Sheriff Sanders wrote.
A Thurston County deputy then used a taser on the suspect, after the suspect climbed and jumped over a “barb wire fence,” according to Sheriff Sanders.
The deputy also fired his pistol at the suspect, because the deputy witnessed the suspect show a gun, according to Sheriff Sanders.
The suspect, who Sheriff Sanders wrote was not hit by any of the fired rounds, stood up, got hit by another taser round, and then left the area.
Thurston County deputies then found the suspect again outside of a gas station, and used a taser on the suspect once again, according to Sheriff Sanders.
The suspect was then taken into custody. Sheriff Sanders notes the suspect had multiple warrants, including second degree assault in King County, three, first degree assault in Pierce County, and a Department of Corrections felony escape warrant.
The suspect also had ties to an armed robbery at a Pierce County weed dispensary that occurred Saturday night, as well as five earlier felony convictions and 17 misdemeanor convictions, according to Sheriff Sanders.
Two lanes of southbound I-5 remain were blocked near Exit 88 at the time of the incident.
