Video captures suspect pulling trooper from car, stealing cruiser on I-5
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A suspect was taken into custody after the Washington State Patrol (WSP) said he removed a trooper from his patrol car and stole the vehicle during a chaotic Christmas Day incident on a major interstate in Seattle.
A WSP spokesperson told Fox News Digital officers were trying to locate the man after receiving reports of him running back and forth across all lanes of Interstate 5.
A WSP lieutenant encountered him while trying to address a security concern, and authorities say he got into his patrol car and drove away, leading to a pursuit, the spokesman said.
Video obtained by TMZ It appears to show the man approaching a marked patrol car, opening the driver’s door, removing the WSP lieutenant from the vehicle, pushing him onto the road, and driving away in the cruiser.
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WSP said the theft led to a pursuit involving multiple agencies, including the Seattle Police Department. The suspect drove north and then turned south, where troopers crashed into the stolen patrol vehicle and stopped it in Lynnwood, authorities said.
Police said the suspect resisted arrest and they used a stun gun on him before he was taken into custody. He was later identified as Alexander Eugene Smith.
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Smith was arrested on suspicion of felony evading, robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault on a law enforcement officer and driving under the influence, according to King County jail records.
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Alexander Eugene Smith allegedly stole a Washington State Patrol vehicle. (Washington State Patrol)
Investigators said they received a warrant for a blood draw and believe Smith was impaired, but toxicology results are pending.
WSP said such incidents often involved people in distress and emphasized that the soldiers’ priority was public safety.
The police pursuit took place on Interstate 5 in Seattle. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images for Rock’n’Roll Marathon)
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The lieutenant suffered minor injuries and no members of the public were seriously injured, but several vehicles were damaged during efforts to stop the cruiser, authorities said.
The investigation is still ongoing.
Stepheny Price covers crimes including missing persons, murders and immigration crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
