WWPD: Pursuit leads to arrests, use of force investigation

WALLA WALLA – (Walla Walla Police Department press release) At approximately 5:00 a.m. on October 25, 2024, Walla Walla Police Department patrol officers received a notification from Flock Safety, a network of license plate reader cameras (LPR), reporting that a stolen vehicle was driving through town. The LPR system identified the stolen vehicle and led officers to determine its location.

The vehicle was first seen at the intersection of S. 3rd Ave. and Prospect Ave. encountered by a responding officer. When the officer initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle fled at high speed and eluded the officers.

Additional officers joined the pursuit and a plan was quickly put into action to use a tire deflation device, commonly known as spike strips, as an intervention technique in the pursuit. The spike strips successfully deflated the suspect vehicle’s tires, but a Walla Walla Police cruiser was also hit by the spikes, causing the officer to abandon the pursuit.

Despite the tire deflating, the suspect continued driving south on Highway 125 and entered the northbound lane, crossing into oncoming traffic and reportedly swerving to avoid other motorists. Responding to the escalating threat, a Walla Walla police officer rammed his patrol car into the suspect vehicle and ended the pursuit on Highway 125 near Frontage Road.

After being stopped, several people fled the suspect vehicle on foot. After establishing a containment and conducting a K9 search, officers arrested three suspects in connection with the stolen vehicle and pursuit. Walla Walla Police detectives will investigate the crime surrounding the stolen vehicle and other related crimes. According to Walla Walla Police Department policy, ramming a vehicle is considered deadly force. In accordance with department protocols, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) was asked to conduct an independent investigation into the use of force during this incident. No members of the Walla Walla Police Department will be involved in the investigation into the force used in the pursuit.

The SIU is an independent investigative team comprised of officers and investigators from law enforcement agencies in the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla region.

A separate press release will follow detailing additional offenses related to this prosecution. All future vehicle pursuit and use of force information will be released by the SIU.

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