Tumwater police, TCSO K9 Igo, arrest suspects in multi-state crime spree
By: -----
Thurston County, WA - A multi-state crime spree was interrupted Wednesday night when several suspects were arrested in Thurston County.
The suspects, whose names have not been released by law enforcement, allegedly stole a white Dodge Ram in the Tumwater area on Wednesday, Aug. 26. The vehicle was associated with a black sedan, which was later determined to have also been stolen.
The suspects in the stolen Dodge were reportedly seen dumping the contents of the vehicle onto the ground, and were located by a Tumwater police sergeant a short time later.
The sergeant attempted a traffic stop, but the truck fled the scene, according to a narrative provided by Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Office K9 Igo and his handler, Sgt. Bagby, soon joined the deputies and Tumwater Police Department officers responding to the incident.
A short pursuit was initiated before the suspect crashed into a light pole.
The driver left his injured passengers behind and fled into the woods, refusing to surrender despite K9 warnings being given, according to Sanders.
K9 Igo apprehended the suspect until a second officer caught up and detained the suspect.
Passengers in the wrecked truck — among which was a runaway juvenile — allegedly told deputies that they have “been committing crimes and stealing cars for three weeks along I-5 from Seattle to Portland” and ran from Oregon State Police, according to Sanders.
Tumwater officers arrested the occupants of the stolen truck.
“Great job by Tumwater units and K9 Igo to bring this multi-state crime spree to an end and prevent further victimization,” Sanders said in a social media post on Thursday.
K9 Igo joined the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office alongside K9 Bowie in February 2022, replacing retired K9s Jaxx and Dexter.
While the K9 takedown was occurring, it was reported that the occupants of the other stolen car ran into the Steamboat Trading Post down the street and shoplifted before fleeing the area at a high rate of speed.
Additionally, multiple callers advised the same suspects also tried to steal or break into their car, according to Sanders.