Thurston County Sheriff Derek Sanders and a team of deputies captured two retail theft suspects following a high-speed chase from Centralia into Lacey Sunday, March 22.
According to Centralia police, Julene Williams, 34, of Marysville, was arrested after allegedly stealing more than $2,000 in merchandise from two local businesses.
Lewis County Jail records indicate she was booked into the facility at about 8:52 p.m. Sunday.
Thurston County deputies reportedly booked the driver, Lawrence Hatch, 45, also of Marysville, into the Thurston County Jail following the eluding incident.
Sanders said this was Hatch’s 98th arrest.
Hatch was also referred to Lewis County Superior Court for his alleged involvement in the retail thefts, Centralia police said.
Sanders wrote about the chase on Facebook early Monday morning.
According to Sanders, the suspects had “used stolen bags from one store to steal merchandise from another” during the thefts.
“The pair were also involved in a theft in Lacey just three days prior where they were not apprehended,” Sanders wrote.
Prior to the chase, deputies received word that the suspects had fled north on Interstate 5.
“One of our deputies spotted the vehicle north on I-5 in Olympia, and before even activating their emergency lights, the truck fled,” Sanders wrote. “A pursuit was initiated and quickly terminated after an unsuccessful PIT attempt as the vehicle fled into downtown Olympia at high speeds.”
Deputies reportedly initiated a second pursuit after the truck had left the downtown area, but stopped when the truck sped through intersections toward Lacey.
Dash camera footage released by Sanders shows the truck swerving into the opposite lane to avoid cars at a traffic light. The truck then runs multiple red lights.
Deputies found the truck abandoned near College Street a short time later, Sanders said.
“A K9 track was started when I located the two suspects walking through a nearby neighborhood,” Sanders wrote. “Both suspects were taken into custody at gunpoint.”
Body camera footage shows the female suspect walking backward toward deputies and Sanders with her hands held over her head.
“If you run, you’re going to get tased and bit by a dog, do you understand?” a deputy is heard saying to the male suspect as he points a Taser at the suspect’s back.
Sanders is then heard directing the male suspect backward, before ordering him onto his knees.
An executed search warrant on the truck reportedly yielded “thousands of dollars of stolen merchandise from numerous businesses,” according to the sheriff.
Deputies also allegedly discovered meth, heroin and fentanyl.
“Additionally, the suspect had a custom bong device built into the dash of the truck so he could comfortably smoke drugs while driving,” Sanders wrote.
Deputies reportedly obtained a search warrant for Hatch’s blood for potential DUI charges.
Sanders, who does not specifically name Hatch in his post, said the suspect has four previous felony convictions, 27 misdemeanor convictions and 97 prior arrests.
“Tonight, he is back in jail for the 98th time on charges of DUI, eluding, and possession of narcotics,” Sanders wrote. “Once he’s released from Thurston County Jail, he will face charges of organized retail theft in Lewis County.”
According to court records, Hatch was scheduled to make a preliminary appearance in Thurston County Superior Court on Monday.
His alleged accomplice, Williams, was scheduled to make a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court later that day.
