Pierce County Deputies Attacked with Chainsaw During High-Speed Pursuit of Stolen Vehicle

Pierce County deputies arrested two men after a wild chase on I-5 where a passenger allegedly threw a chainsaw and climbing gear at pursuing officers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 23, 2026, 11:26 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Fox News

A Midnight Theft Leads to a Violent Escalation

What began as a routine vehicle theft report in Parkland, Washington, rapidly transformed into a life-threatening encounter for local law enforcement. Just before midnight on April 19, Pierce County deputies responded to a report of a stolen car from an apartment complex. A K9 deputy successfully located the vehicle, but the driver initiated a high-speed flight onto southbound Interstate 5, reaching speeds of approximately 70 miles per hour. During the pursuit, the situation took a bizarre and dangerous turn when the passenger began discarding heavy equipment directly into the path of the patrol units.

Chainsaws and Climbing Gear Used as Projectiles

As deputies maintained their pursuit, radio traffic captured the moment the passenger began utilizing the vehicle's contents as weapons. "Just threw a chainsaw," a deputy alerted other units, warning them to stay vigilant for large debris on the highway. In addition to the chainsaw, investigators report that the suspect threw rope and specialized climbing gear onto the roadway. Officials noted that these actions created a severe hazard not only for the pursuing officers but for any members of the public traveling on the interstate, leading to a potential charge of first-degree assault.

The Pursuit Ends Near Joint Base Lewis-McChord

The chase moved off the main interstate and toward the logistics gate of Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). The suspects' flight came to an abrupt halt when the stolen vehicle became wedged and stuck near a roundabout. Realizing the vehicle was no longer mobile, both occupants bailed out and fled into the surrounding brush on foot. Deputies immediately established a perimeter around the logistics area, coordinating with military police to ensure the suspects did not successfully breach the base or disappear into the wooded terrain.