Police Chase Ends With Multiple-Vehicle Crash After Alleged Theft in Centralia

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A man was being treated for unknown injuries Saturday night after allegedly leading police on a chase that started when he stole items from Rite Aid in Centralia and ended only after he collided with several vehicles, including a patrol car.

The northbound Interstate 5 on-ramp at Harrison Avenue was still closed at about 10 p.m. as officers processed the scene and cleared debris.

Police said the stolen goods were likely the same items still visible in the backseat of the 1990s model Jeep Cherokee the suspect was driving at the time.

The apparent payload? Garden supplies.

Among the items still priced for sale were shovels, flowers and what appeared to be a ceramic garden gnome.

The vehicle, which had Wyoming license plates, came to rest straddling the north sidewalk along Harrison Avenue just east of the Interstate 5 overpass. The driver allegedly attempted to flee on foot. He was apprehended on the lawn in front of Papa Pete’s Pizza a short distance away.

Jim Shannon of the Centralia Police Department was among officers searching for the suspect after the theft at Rite Aid on Harrison Avenue was initially reported. He said he saw the suspect’s vehicle on Foron Road after the man fled driving north.



After he cornered the suspect at a private residence, Shannon said the man struck his patrol vehicle with the Jeep.

“He realized he was stuck,” Shannon said.

The man then came toward him again, Shannon said. The suspect eventually was able to travel back toward the freeway where he allegedly collided with three more vehicles before trying to flee on foot.

Shannon was not injured. He said he couldn’t describe the nature of the suspect’s injuries but said the man was being treated at Providence Centralia Hospital. Officers did not have to use their Tasers, he said.

After suspects are treated, they are normally booked into the Lewis County Jail.

Look for additional information in Tuesday’s edition of The Chronicle.