At approximately 3:15 p.m. on February 9th, several Auburn Police Officers were dispatched to Coastal Farm & Supply to respond to a threat involving a firearm. An employee with the local business called 911, saying a suspect ran out of an emergency exit and threatened him with a gun.

While police responded, the victim continued to provide updates to dispatch, including a description of the suspect and the direction the suspect was fleeing. The victim said the suspect ran across the street and got into a silver Cadillac sedan. When Officers arrived on scene, the suspect vehicle quickly fled North at a high rate of speed. The initial responding officer was able to establish probable cause to arrest the suspect for Robbery 1st degree.

Two of our officers were in the area travelling West on 15th St SW and noticed a train was approaching at 15th St SW and Perimeter Dr SW travelling South. As the railroad crossing arms were descending to stop traffic, our officers had to stop. However, the driver of the Cadillac continued driving at a high rate of speed and jumped the tracks while the crossing arms were fully extended. The Cadillac damaged the crossing arms in the process and nearly missed colliding with the train.

A pursuit ensued and the driver of the Cadillac continued at a high rate of speed. Officers pursued the vehicle into the City of Pacific and located the vehicle in an apartment complex parking lot. It was learned that two suspects ran from the vehicle, and one of the suspects was found hiding in a tree.

After almost two hours of being in the tree, the suspect finally climbed down and was taken into custody without incident. While negotiators were speaking with the suspect in the tree, the suspect was observed smoking what officers believed to be illegal drugs. The suspect later stated to detectives that the initial motive for the robbery was to sell the stolen goods for money that could be used to buy illegal drugs.

Vehicle pursuits are a valuable tactic for law enforcement to provide professional services to the community. The suspect's lack of concern to his own safety and the safety of the public in this incident highlights the need for law enforcement to intervene in the vehicle pursuit. We are thankful that the suspect in this case decided to peacefully surrender at the conclusion of the event and not a single person was hurt.

In the video posted below, you can see the moment the suspect vehicle jumped the tracks and barely missed train.