By Darlanne Cruz
A 26-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning, July 8, after an alleged burglary at a cannabis business resulted in a pursuit that ended with a crash.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a burglary in progress after 1 a.m. on July 8 and witnessed two vehicles leaving the scene, Sheriff Derek Sanders said in a social media post.
One vehicle headed north on Interstate 5 into Pierce County and got away, as backup could not be secured in time.
The second vehicle drove toward Highway 101. Deputies used spike strips, which damaged the vehicle. A precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver or pursuit tactic was then used to try and stop the vehicle, but it kept going.
A second PIT maneuver was done, but the suspect still attempted to flee.
“The vehicle then tried to escape a second time and backed into a power pole, catching on fire,” Sanders said.
Deputies saw cannabis plants inside the vehicle as it burned.
The driver, identified by law enforcement records as Michael Anthony Lee, was taken into custody and booked into the Thurston County Corrections Facility for second-degree burglary, second-degree vehicle prowl and attempt to elude pursuing police vehicle.
