Tri-Cities man jailed on 38 charges after stealing a patrol car, high-speed chase
A Tri-Cities man is in jail after a high-speed chase across the Tri-Cities in a stolen Kennewick police patrol car.
Christoffer Noel Pearson, 39, was booked into the Benton County jail on more than three dozen charges after police chased a stolen cruiser Monday night across the Tri-Cities, according to a social media post from Kennewick police.
He is facing eight felony charges and 30 misdemeanors, according to jail records.
The incident began when officers were dispatched for a welfare request in the 1200 block of S. Newport St. at about 8 p.m. after Pearson called 911 more than two dozen times and refused to answer dispatchers questions, Kennewick police said in a noon news release.
When officers arrived Pearson was outside of the home, cursing at people nearby and had knives in his hands.
Kennewick police said officers quickly left their patrol vehicles to give verbal commands, leaving the cars running. As officers moved back to maintain distance between themselves and Pearson, they left their vehicles unprotected, according to the release.
Officers continued moving back, Pearson allegedly slashed the hood of one car and began throwing knives. He then jumped into one of the patrol cars and drove off, according to the post.
Pearson took off, leading police on a chase through Kennewick and into Richland.
“Dispatch, he just took my car,” an officer was heard on the Broadcastify public audio feed telling emergency dispatchers just after 8 p.m.
Local law enforcement agencies deployed spike strips and sent a vehicle authorized to perform a PIT maneuver during the chase, according to audio traffic.
A PIT maneuver, which stands for precision immobilization technique, is when an officer uses their vehicle to hit the suspect vehicle in a way that causes them to spin out. It’s often used to end chases.
Pearson was arrested and appears to be facing felony charges for three counts of second-degree assault, two counts of malicious mischief, auto theft, attempting to elude and first-degree robbery.
His misdemeanor charges include obstructing law enforcement, resisting arrest, DUI and 27 counts of misusing the 911 system.
The chase quickly moved westbound on 10th Avenue, eventually into Richland near Queensgate at speeds of up to 90 mph, according to scanner traffic.
The suspect began ramming cars just after officers reported the speeds had gone from 50 mph up to 90, according to audio traffic.
A Pasco police officer performed a PIT maneuver, ending the chase, according to Kennewick police.
Video posted on social media by a citizen shows more than a dozen police vehicles going through a roundabout during the chase, which ended near the Atkins building at 2345 Stevens Dr. in Richland.
Pearson then tried to flee on foot and a K-9 police dog was used to stop him, according to Kennewick police.
He was taken to the hospital, according to audio traffic, and then booked into the Benton County jail at 11:50 p.m. Monday.
