Driver arrested after ramming patrol car, launching vehicle stolen in Burien over wall in Des Moines Tuesday morning

A man was arrested Tuesday morning, Oct. 8, 2024, after attempting to flee from Des Moines Police officers in a stolen vehicle, leading to a brief pursuit that ended with the driver being taken into custody.

Police said that at around 9:30 a.m., Des Moines officers were patrolling a local apartment complex when they noticed a suspicious vehicle. The driver was slumped over in the driver’s seat with drug paraphernalia visible in his lap. Officers placed spike strips around the vehicle’s tires, then woke the driver.

Upon waking, the suspect immediately put the vehicle into gear and rammed a patrol car in an attempt to escape. The driver then sped through a flower bed and launched the vehicle over a rock retaining wall in a dramatic fashion, reminiscent of the TV show “Dukes of Hazzard.” He then proceeded to flee toward I-5.

Due to light traffic and safe road conditions, officers gave chase and performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) near South 272nd Street, successfully stopping the vehicle.

The suspect was arrested without further incident.

Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had just been stolen in Burien.

One patrol car sustained moderate damage in the incident, but no injuries were reported. The suspect was booked into jail for possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude police.

“Committed to Relentlessly Fighting Crime with Trust and Care!” police said in a statement following the arrest.