An Auburn man was arrested in Centralia on a felony eluding charge after allegedly leading authorities on a vehicle chase starting somewhere in Thurston County and ending on foot in Centralia.
A Washington State Patrol spokesperson didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment regarding what prompted the chase.
In Centralia, police were notified at around 2:30 a.m. Saturday of a pursuit heading southbound on Interstate 5. Officers deployed spike strips on the southbound Exit 82 ramp, in case the vehicle’s driver, later identified as Javier Caldera, 25, tried to head into Centralia — which is allegedly what happened, said Centralia Police Department Sgt. Dave Clary.
The vehicle drove over the strips, and blew at least one tire, said Clary, and ended up crashing into a nearby fence on Harrison Avenue. Caldera allegedly left the vehicle and ran away. Officers looked around the area for a couple hours without finding Caldera.
Clary said officers went to businesses in the area and described the suspect to staff members. One eventually spotted Caldera on foot in the area and contacted police. Officers responded and arrested him without further incident.
He was turned over to WSP.
