A 55-year old Hoquiam man is in the Aberdeen jail this afternoon, after trying to flee from detectives and officers, just after 11:00 AM this morning in the parking lot at the Gateway Mall.

A sergeant investigating eight domestic violence related felonies involving the suspect, had secured a $200,000 warrant for his arrest. He also had information the suspect was in possession of a stolen black Ford Mustang, and he was possibly driving the vehicle into the Aberdeen area to meet a person with whom the Grays Harbor Superior Court had issued a DV Restraining Order.

The sergeant responded to the area and began watching for the vehicle. While he was doing so, a call came in of a suspicious Mustang in the McDonald’s parking lot. When the sergeant and other officers arrived to the area, the suspect began running (on foot) toward the Wal-Mart parking lot with officers chasing. The suspect was yelling at the officers that he was armed with a firearm, while reaching for his waistband, and telling the officers they were going to have to shoot him. A Taser was deployed but was ineffective at incapacitating the suspect. The sergeant and an officer tackled the suspect to the ground, and he was taken into custody following a brief struggle. Both police officers and the suspect sustained minor injuries in the scuffle.

The Aberdeen Fire Department was summoned to the scene to check the suspect’s welfare, before he was transferred to the Aberdeen Jail. The suspect told officers he was claiming he had a gun because he wanted them to kill him. Mental health professionals have been notified to respond to the jail for assistance. The suspect was booked on the eight original felonies (on the warrant), as well as a new ninth felony DV Court Order Violation and Resisting Arrest.

Traffic on the roadway by the Grays Harbor Vision Clinic was blocked off for about 20 minutes during the apprehension. A number of citizen witnesses were helpful in providing statements at the scene.